Theme of Isolation and Connection

Read the following excerpt from a modern novel:

In the labyrinthine streets of the city, Eleanor found herself lost—not just in the maze of alleys that twisted like the thoughts in her head but in the memories that haunted her. Each corner turned seemed to echo a laugh or whisper from a time that no longer felt tangible. As she moved deeper into the heart of the city, the bustling night scene became a blurred reflection of her inner turmoil, pulling her between the desire to connect with the world and the fear of the vulnerabilities that came with it.

This passage reflects themes of isolation and the quest for identity amidst chaos. What is the central theme of this excerpt?