Isolation

Isolation

See also Imprisonment, Remoteness.

Alcatraz Island

“The Rock”; former federal prison in San Francisco Bay. [Am. Hist.: Flexner, 218]

Alison’s House

reclusive woman guards secrets and poems of her dead sister. [Am. Drama: Glaspel Alison’s House in Sobel, 18]

Aschenbach, Gustave von

spiritual and emotional solitude combine in writer’s deterioration. [Ger. Lit.: Death in Venice]

Count of Monte Cristo

Edmond Dantès imprisoned in the dungeons of Château D’If for 14 years. [Fr. Lit.: The Count of Monte Cristo, Magill I, 158–160]

Crusoe, Robinson

man marooned on a desert island for 24 years. [Brit. Lit.: Robinson Crusoe, Magill I, 839–841]

Dickinson, Emily

(1830–1886) secluded within the walls of her father’s house. [Am. Lit.: Hart, 224]

Hermit Kingdom Korea,

when it alienated itself from all but China (c. 1637—c. 1876). [Korean Hist.: NCE, 1233]

Iron Curtain

political and ideological barrier of secrecy concealing Eastern bloc. [Eur. Hist.: Brewer Dictionary, 490]

Magic Mountain, The

suspended in time, which exists in flat world below. [Ger. Lit.: The Magic Mountain, Magill I, 545–547]

Man Without a Country, The

story of man exiled from homeland. [Am. Lit.: The Man Without a Country, Magill I, 553–557]

Olivia

“abjured the company and sight of men.” [Br. Lit.: Twelfth Night]

prisoner of Chillon

cast into a lightless dungeon and chained there for countless years. [Br. Lit.: Byron The Prisoner of Chillon in Benét, 817]

Selkirk, Alexander

(1676–1721) marooned on Pacific island; thought to be prototype of Robinson Crusoe. [Scot. Hist.: EB, IX: 45]

Sleepy Hollow

out-of-the-way, old-world village on Hudson. [Am. Lit.: “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” in Benét, 575]

Stylites

medieval ascetics; resided atop pillars. [Christian Hist.: Brewer Dictionary, 1045]

Stylites, St. Simeon

lived 36 years on platform atop pillar. [Christian Hagiog.: Attwater, 309]