"I can't do with mountains at close quarters - they are always in the way, and they are so stupid, never moving and never doing anything but obtrude themselves"

In this quote, the speaker expresses their disappointment with mountains being too near to them. They see mountains as an obstacle, always in the way and never ever moving. The speaker likewise describes them as "stupid," indicating that they are changeless and do not have intelligence. The use of the word "obtrude" suggests that the mountains are intrusive and unwanted in the speaker's life. This quote could be analyzed as a metaphor for the speaker's feelings towards obstacles or barriers in their life. They see them as an obstacle, unvarying and constantly present, making it challenging for them to move on.