This quote reflects a dichotomy within a character's experience, suggesting a deep connection to nature and the environment contrasted with the pollutants of industrial society. It indicates that while the character is engaged with ecological concerns, his thoughts are clouded by the negative impacts of civilization, such as pollution and industrialization. This duality emphasizes the struggle between appreciating the natural world and the realities of modern life.

In Wallace Stegner's "Angle of Repose," this tension resonates throughout the narrative, as characters navigate their relationships with the landscape and the consequences of human activity. The quote encapsulates the conflict many face when trying to balance environmental consciousness with the inevitability of human advancement and its associated challenges.