I believe it is persuasive. You're trying to get people to help preserve the mountains, da? That essay is trying to persuade them 
        
                    
             
        
        
        
The words are used to show quick, straight actions, they are scattered about so that the reader has the impression that the scene is impactful as the excerpt "I was struck by the intimacy scene." shows. There is also the idea that only the ones engaged in the conversations are allowed to hear their content and finally, these people are free from their masters -- teachers, parents and any other adult that symbolizes authority.
 
        
                    
             
        
        
        
Brown vs. board of education