What is the theme in The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton?

Solitude/Contemplation/Simplicity all make up the central theme of this book. These seem to be the facets of monastic life that are most appealing to Merton. They are also the characteristics of his life when he finds himself most happy. Merton seems to have enjoyed the secluded setting of St. Antonin, France. In college, he enjoyed escaping to the cottage at Olean, which turned out to be a sort-of makeshift monastery for him and his friends. Eventually, Merton found his home among the cloisters of a community of men who take vows of silence.