With the metaphor of flight as her canvas, Lindbergh paints a powerful narrative of spiritual exploration in Steep Ascent. This semi-autobiographical tale radiates with authenticity, unfolding an insightful journey. Lindbergh delicately crafts Eve's story, both stirring and bold. Eve, the protagonist, is depicted as a keen observer, possessing an outsider’s acute sensitivity. An American immersed in English life for a decade, married to a British aviator, Eve faces a pivotal decision. Despite her fears about leaving behind her son, Peter, and concerns for her unborn child's health, she embarks on a daring flight over the Alps to Italy with her husband, Gerald. The story begins with the bustling preparations and heartfelt farewells before their journey. Once airborne, however, the flight transforms into a profound adventure of the mind and soul, liberating Eve from the confines of time and space, and affording her a sanctuary for introspection.

During the flight, Eve is swept into a cascade of revelations, propelled by an inexplicable sense of urgency. Initially, she is consumed by thoughts of time and the lurking dangers ahead. Watching the earth recede with a profound yearning, she longs to cling to its comforting security, leading her to question Gerald's fixation with flying. In the tight quarters of the single-engine plane, their silent communication becomes a lifeline, dependent on mutual understanding and subtle gestures. Eve ponders her motivations for the journey, admitting she is not in search of mere physical thrills, identifying herself as an "earth person." Yet, she is not content with this label, driven to savor life in its entirety. She contemplates life’s multi-layered texture: the "top crust," the "middle everyday layer," and the elusive "inner core." Her anxiety evolves into an understanding that succumbing to fear denies her the richness of life. This realization clarifies her purpose: to transcend the mundane and reach life's fulfilling core, ultimately freeing herself to embrace the joy of living.

As Eve's epiphany unfolds, it mirrors the aircraft's majestic climb over the Alps. Bursting through the clouds, she finds clarity in Gerald's passion for flight, experiencing an awakening of her own spirit as she sheds the weight of fear. Her resolve to embrace life, to ascend despite danger and uncertainty, grants her a fleeting vision beyond life's surface. Flight morphs into a metaphor, urging her to release her grip on the earth and soar towards life’s profound essence.

Yet, her elation is soon overshadowed by peril as the aircraft is ensnared in a fog, threatening a safe descent. Eve's joy is replaced by a fresh wave of fear and doubt. Confronted with her mortality, she reflects on faith, recalling a pilgrim's hymn that inspires the novella's title: "They climbed the steep ascent of heaven . . . through peril, toil, and pain . . . O God, to us may grace be given ... to follow in their train. . ." Gerald, with a resolve born out of necessity, opts for a "blind" descent, risking a collision with the mountains shrouded in clouds. In this critical moment, a trial of faith, Eve's fears melt away. Her ultimate revelation brings spiritual fulfillment, as she embraces the notion that life is a gift to be celebrated, not possessed. By becoming a participant in life, rather than a mere owner, she transcends the fear of death, committing to live for others.

Although Eve’s struggle with nonparticipation is not unique to women, Lindbergh shines a light on their role as "watchers and waiters," highlighting the challenges they face in seeking identity. The boundless freedom of flight becomes an emblem of the spiritual emancipation Eve gains through her journey. Her pilgrimage equips her with the courage and strength to approach life with renewed awareness, overthrowing the stagnation of passivity.