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. Isolation
 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 occurs
 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 considered
 as a lack of faithfulness or as a danger to the relationship.

Thus isolation, apparently confined to the single individual
 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