George simmel interpretation and theoretical orientation ??? Help

Question

“Small town life in antiquity as well as in the Middle Ages imposed such limits upon the movements of the individual in his relationships with the outside world and on his inner independence and differentiation that the modern person could not even breathe under such conditions.  Even today the city dweller who is placed in a small town feels a type of narrowness which is very similar.  The smaller the circle which forms our environment and the more limited the relationships which have the possibility of transcending the boundaries, the more anxiously the narrow community watches over the deeds, the conduct of life and the attitudes of the individual and the more will a quantitative and qualitative individuality tend to pass beyond the boundaries of such a community“

Answer 1

Simmel states a general observation suggesting how modern people would be frustrated to be thrown back into one condition of life long ago. Then he extends the observation to compare modern people who live in large cities compared to small towns (though of course he doesn’t take into account how communications, including the Internet, would change the sense of community).

What’s the bigger picture Simmel is discussing? Alternatively, think of your own experience in a city or a small town. Does Simmel understand what you’ve experienced? Is there some later theory that fits your experience better? Think all around the quote, take it apart and put it together again, and you may find it becomes clearer.