130 THE SOCIAL THEORY OF GEORG SIMMEL 
sociological. But the situation which is expressed by the 
concept “isolation” does not consist of this fact alone. Iso- 
lation does not signify merely the absence of all society. 
For the isolated individual, society exerts a long-distance 
influence either as echo of the past or as anticipation of 
future relationships, either as a longing for socialization or 
as a voluntary renouncement of it. He has not the same 
characteristics as a man who has been from his birth the 
only inhabitant of the world. Socialization, even if it be 
only with a negative sign, is also a determining factor even 
for his condition. 
It is of importance for the configuration of a group 
whether it favors or allows isolation of individuals. Close 
and intimate communities do not permit such intercellular 
vacuums in their structure. But in larger groups a certain 
quantity and quality of social life will produce a distinct 
number of temporarily or chronically isolated existences. 
They form a social deficit in the same way as the forlorn. 
the criminal, and the suicide. 
Isolation in these cases takes the form of a relationship 
within the mind of the individual between himself and a 
specific group or between himself and group life in general. 
It has sociological significance in another way when it oc- 
curs as a periodic differentiation or an interval within one 
and the same relationship. A monogamic marriage in 
which husband and wife occasionally enjoy the pleasures 
of isolation. even though happy in their relationship, is 
different from one in which such isolation would be consid- 
ered as a lack of faithfulness or as a danger to the relation- 
ship. 
Thus isolation, apparently confined to the single indi- 
vidual and consisting in a negation of socialization, is in 
reality a phenomenon of positive sociological significance. 
It is important for the agent in whom it is present as an