Whether he knew of this deficiency himself I can't say. I think the knowledge came to him at last--only at the very last. But the wilderness found him out early, and had taken vengeance for the fantastic invasion. I think it had whispered to him things about himself which he did not know, things of which he had no conception till he took counsel with this great solitude--and the whisper had proved irresistibly fascinating. It echoed loudly within him because he was hollow at the core
The passage reflects on a character's journey of self-discovery through the wilderness, suggesting that he may not have initially recognized his own shortcomings. However, as he interacts with the profound solitude of nature, he begins to confront aspects of himself that were previously unknown. This confrontation is not merely a realization but a deeper, almost spiritual awakening to his true nature.
This awakening is portrayed as both a revelation and a source of inner conflict. The wilderness, embodying both beauty and danger, challenges the character and forces him to reckon with his emptiness. The allure of this newfound understanding captivates him, highlighting how isolation can provoke introspection and personal growth, even as it reveals uncomfortable truths about one’s identity.
