The Distinction
It is important to distinguish between the terms loneliness and isolation, because they are often associated with one another. Isolation is a circumstance, whereas loneliness is an emotion. Being isolated does not necessarily mean being lonely. This is the case for Suzy in Blood Music and WALL-E and the humans on the axiom ship. As depicted in the chart, Suzy is isolated in a mental capacity sense since she is not exactly like everyone else. However, that does not mean she is lonely because she has her brothers, fiance, friends, and mother that she shares a deep connection with. Being deeply connected with others prevents loneliness because a person will always be attached to the people no matter how isolated or socially connected the person is.
In the case of WALL-E, the people and WALL-E do not share any deep connections before outside interference. On the chart, however, they are isolated but are not lonely, which does not follow Suzy’s trend. This is because the characters in WALL-E are unaware of the possibilities of true connections because they are physically limited by their circumstances. Thus, they are content with their current situations and do not seek true connection.
The opposite holds true in that not being isolated does not necessarily mean being not lonely. This is the case for Bernard because he is extremely socially connected with others, being a famous figure on Time Magazine and lots of “friends” in companies. However, none of these connection are meaningful and are really just business connections, so Bernard is actually very lonely.
More on this topic: When Isolated People Are Not Lonely, And Connected People Are
In the case of WALL-E, the people and WALL-E do not share any deep connections before outside interference. On the chart, however, they are isolated but are not lonely, which does not follow Suzy’s trend. This is because the characters in WALL-E are unaware of the possibilities of true connections because they are physically limited by their circumstances. Thus, they are content with their current situations and do not seek true connection.
The opposite holds true in that not being isolated does not necessarily mean being not lonely. This is the case for Bernard because he is extremely socially connected with others, being a famous figure on Time Magazine and lots of “friends” in companies. However, none of these connection are meaningful and are really just business connections, so Bernard is actually very lonely.
More on this topic: When Isolated People Are Not Lonely, And Connected People Are