An iceberg is water striving to be land; a mountain, especially a Himalaya, especially Everest, is land's attempt to metamorphose into sky; it is grounded in flight, the earth mutated--nearly--into air, and become, in the true sense, exalted. Long before she ever encountered the mountain, Allie was aware of its brooding presence in her soul.
The quote reflects on the nature of both icebergs and mountains, using them as metaphors for the struggle between elements. An iceberg symbolizes water's ambition to reach land, while a mountain, particularly Everest, represents land’s aspiration to ascend into the sky. This interplay illustrates a transformation where the earth strives to connect with the ethereal, showcasing a journey from ground to exaltation.
Allie’s awareness of Everest before encountering it emphasizes a deep, internal connection to the mountain. It suggests that the presence of such monumental forces resonates within individuals, serving as a profound symbol of ambition and transcendence. The mountain stands not only as a physical structure but also as a metaphor for aspirations that reside in the human spirit.
