Same but different
Though the protagonist doesn’t travel alone, he seems to be a little bit lonely, for he often escapes from reality. His mind is constantly occupied with various questions, so he struggles to find the right answers. This fine morning the man thinks about science. According to him, “the state of mind” which “enables a man” to be a scientist is “akin to that of the religious worshiper or lover.” The effort comes “from no deliberate intention or program, but straight from the heart.” The irony is that scientists can change their minds when they are presented with undeniable proof. True believers can easily ignore logical explanations.
The mystery
When they reach Laurel and see “the mountains”, the friends “stop for the night.” The evening breeze is “cool” and soothing, it is a huge relief after a long ride. “Although the sun must have disappeared behind the mountains an hour ago,” there’s still “good light in the sky from behind the range.” They walk up “the long main street in the gathering dusk” and “feel the presence of the mountains” even though they talk about “other things.” The protagonist feels “happy,” but he is still a little bit “sad.” Sometimes it is better “to travel than to arrive.” The irony is that our expectations are almost always better than the reality.
Scientific
“Do you believe in ghosts?” Chris asks. The protagonist doesn’t even hesitate before answering. “No,” he says, “because they are un-sci-en-ti-fic.” “They contain no matter,” the man continues, “and have no energy and therefore, according to the laws of science, do not exist.” Everything, “the whiskey, the fatigue and the wind in the trees,” start “mixing” in his head. “Of course,” he adds, “the laws of science contain no matter and have no energy either and therefore do not exist.” The irony is that the laws of science has practical value when ghosts are useless. The protagonist concludes that the best thing is to refuse “to believe in their ghosts or the laws of science.”
