This unique work recounts the evolution of the notion of the pariah in the fields of literature, arts, politics, and philosophy since the birth of the Modern era.

Long thought to be of Indian origin, the term pariah was in fact first used in 16th century by the military, missionaries, and the lettered. Varikas brilliantly illustrates her topic by drawing on literary texts where the pariah is seen as the damned poet or artist whose marginality is glorified. She also examines essays and political speeches by Max Weber, Georg Simmel, and Hannah Arendt, among others.