What are the motifs in Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey?

Personal growth is a recurring idea in this book.

Personal Growth

From the first morning to his departure in the fall, Abbey grows tremendously. His first impression of the desert is merely a sketch of the shapes and colors, but he realizes this situation and hopes to understand the mysteries to great depth. However, his favorite juniper tree reveals nothing other than a sense of its essence. Furthermore, he falls into anthropomorphisms when the animals are equally as opaque. The only thing that he can come to understand better is himself.