Nature and the Environment

During Kate’s spiritual journey, she gains a greater understanding of the concept of nature, as well as how she relates to the environment around her. At the start of the novel, Kate is not out of touch with nature. Yet, it is when she enters a confused period of her life that she looks to nature for answers.

First, she voyages down the Colorado River. Then, she heads to the Amazon rain forest where she participates in an intensive ayahuasca retreat. Kate admits the rain forest is unlike anything she could have imagined. She notes that it is louder than New York City. Perhaps, because she is surrounded by such natural splendor, Kate’s introspection on this trip causes her to reflect heavily on the human destruction of the natural world. She becomes concerned for generations ahead and feels compelled to do...