White Rabbit

I think the theme of Keith's essay is the idea that traveling and exploring alone is a valuable way to truly set your mind free and understand yourself. The author talks about how most of the time when people hike, they do it in groups. However, she prefers traveling solo. One use of language that supports this idea is her use of negative connotation when referring to her attempts at hiking in a group in the summer. She states, "with the sweat and the bugs and the tourists," emphasizing the fact that she is experienced and likes to do things herself. Additionally, she exerts herself as a hiking expert by using one-word sentences to list the gear that she uses. By omitting conjunctions or punctuation, it appears as if she is talking directly to the audience and offering them a checklist of gear to pack if they are to follow her journey and hike as well.