What does the narrator tell us about the pain and suffering

I think one of the larger themes has to do with taking an adventure to take one's mind off their troubles. As he chronicles the men’s trip up the Thames, Jerome parses what it means to have a satisfying holiday – and by extension, to be happy. The men bicker constantly and are incompetent at performing even basic tasks, which makes the trip just as stressful – if not more so – than their lives in London do. However, through his humorous and serious digressions, Jerome conveys that happiness is not about doing particular activities or being with certain people, but rather about appreciating one’s current situation and surroundings. One should explore variety but then return to who one actually is.