Plentifulness (Metaphor)
In "the temple of science" are "many mansions." Unlike monotheistic religions that teach their followers to believe in only one god that created this world, science is variable; it questions the validity of old ideas and unproved theories constantly. What is more, the reasons why people decide to dive into it are absolutely different. Many people “take to science out of a joyful sense of superior intellectual power.” They view it as their “own special sport to which they look for vivid experience and the satisfaction of ambition.” Others offer “the product of their brains on this altar for purely utilitarian purpose.”
Magnificence (Metaphor)
At Red Lodge, the roads “almost joined to the base of the mountain.” The protagonist sees and feels how “the dark ominous mass beyond dominates even the roofs of the buildings.” The view is breathtaking, it would be a crime to leave it so quickly. They park the cycles and unpack them “to remove warm clothing.” They walk past ski shops into a restaurant where they see “huge photographs of the route” they plan to “take up.” “Up and up, over one of the highest paved roads in the world.” “I feel some anxiety about this,” says the protagonist.
The art of thinking (Metaphor)
The protagonist doesn’t share his thoughts with his friends, since this man is rather reserved. He doesn’t talk much, but the interesting thing is that he never stops thinking. That inner dialogue of his seems to be endless. “The high country of the mind” is his sacred place. Even the picturesque views of green forests and beautiful turns and curves of the road can’t distract him from pondering. It seems that “the enormous magnitude of questions” makes him forget about more serious issues. However, it would be a mistake to claim that he is interested in philosophical questions only.
