Chapter 16 Episodes and Visions Summary and Analysis

Labor Day arrives, signaling the last big holiday of the tourist season, the subsequent heavy traffic to the Arches, and the end of summer. Abbey expresses both disdain for the tourists, how they stay in their vehicles rather than experiencing nature firsthand, and respect for their hard work within a society hardly anyone understands. He plays with them by telling his absolute truth, which they take as good jokes. Humor must have elements of truth within it and is best delivered deadpan.

The author ponders the Mormon religion. He sees the illogical parts, such as the Constitution of the United States being divinely inspired, yet having an amendment process that can change the inspiration significantly through ratification by enough states. He refers to the 18th Amendment, prohibition, which was repealed by the 21st Amendment. He...