The Temptations of Two Reflection

The overall theme highlighted in the travel story is the differences between traveling on one's own versus traveling in a group. Susan contemplates the safety and caution of traveling alone compared to the possible distractions but comfort of having someone else during travels. This contemplation is shown when she questions, "What is safer? The folly of two or the caution of one?" A literary technique used by Susan is personification where she says that water "washed creepily over my skin." Giving water the human-like qualities makes her seem more in touch with her surroundings and feel like the water is more of an acquaintance than part of nature. In addition, Susan's use of similes throughout the story gives the reader a comparison of what she is seeing and experiencing. She stated that "each dip is like treading ... in the thickest milkshake," which gives a clear image that the reader can perfectly imagine.