One of the most important themes in the novel centers on Addy’s personal growth and self-discovery. At the novel’s opening, Addy is haunted by the loss of her parents in a fire, which has left her with a paralyzing fear of fires and being trapped. Since she is an orphan, she assumes that other people view her as different and avoid her. Over the course of her character arc, she learns to grow in confidence and self-esteem, forging meaningful connections with others along the way.

Nature becomes an important catalyst that enables Addy to learn skills like hiking, climbing, and caring for the natural world, all of which build her sense of self. The wilderness is inherently challenging, but when Addy overcomes the challenges, it empowers her: “Twenty miles. My mind starts mapping the distance. Today it took almost four hours. How long for twenty? Longer than a day. I think I can do it. No, I want to do it. I can do it. Hike twenty miles. Maybe more” (60). Addy finds the wilderness tasks exciting and wants to push herself further. This growing sense of agency, self-reliance, and competence helps her both physically and emotionally.