X = Xenophobia

Xenophobia is the fear of that which is foreign or strange, usually against people but can be a culture or a place.

It might sound weird to include a phobia of foreigners to a A-Z theme that is all about bookish discussions, but believe it or not, it is a popular plot device. 

Xenophobia is why Halflings (The Lord of the Rings) don't leave the Shire and don't like unexpected guests, making a character like Frodo a standout. The many races of Middle Earth held ill-will toward each other and they needed to overcome prejudices to fight for their freedoms.

Xenophobia is why everyone in the Stillness (The Fifth Season) hates Orogenes, forcing protagonists Essun, Damaya, and Syenite into their 'me against the world' roles. The bigotry that surrounds them like a suffocating blanket is what makes them such complex, even if lonely, characters. They're strong-willed, they're angry, and they are on a mission.

In Black Woods Blue Sky, recluse Arthur is universally disliked by the small town he occasionally visits. He's strange and quiet and in his dedication to being alone keeps his secrets guarded. Birdie is warned against having any involvement with him, advice she ignores as soon as it is given. You can't help but feel sorry for this strange couple living in the woods. They're completely isolated from society.

Xenophobia can be used to make protagonists shine bright as they clamber over seemingly insurmountable odds. It can make antagonists more loathsome as they deviate from being productive members of mainstream society. It can be used to evoke emotional responses from readers like sympathy, hope, or hate. It's an unfortunate concept that makes a powerful literary tool.

How do you feel about xenophobia as a plot device? Can you name any books featuring xenophobia?