
Everyone has a voice, sometimes they are in our head and other times we physically here the voices.  In Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Journey,” the word “voice” is used four times.  The first two times the word is used, the meaning is negative.  In the lines surrounding the word “voice,” the terms “bad” and “cried” are used.  These words are context clues that the use of the word “voice” is meant to be negative.  In the last two times Oliver uses the word “voice,” they seem to have a more positive meaning.  The word is surrounded by more positive language, signaling the mood of the poem has changed.  With each use of the word “voice,” the meaning of the word differs, the poem starts with two negative uses and the evolves into a more positive, upbeat meaning.

This first quotation with the word “voice” is negative.  “Though the voices around you / kept shouting / their bad advice,” is obviously a negative quote (l. 3 - 5).  Why would someone, or something, be shouting bad advice?  Even though Oliver does not specifically state what the “voices” actually are, the text around the word gives us the impression that the subject of the poem is having a hard time with someone or something.  And even though the issue is not stated, it could be internal, e.g. a disagreement between the mind and the heart, or external, maybe an issue with another person. Whatever the issue is, it is not good.

Even though “voice” is never defined, it can be assumed that this is something the subject does not find pleasant.  These voices shouting at them is not a positive experience.  Having any voices, whether external or internal, yelling is not a pleasant experience.

In the second use of the word “voice,” the meaning is still negative.  With the use of the word “cried” in the quotation, it is still evident that the subject is still having some type of struggle.  After reading the entire quote “’Mend my life!’ / each voice cried,” it is even more apparent that the someone is feeling blue (l. 10 – 11).  This quote may be more confusing because it is the voices that are talking.  The voices want their life to be mended.  Even though this quote gives the voices a human characteristic, these voices very well may be internal.  Just because they want their life to be mended, does not mean that they are talking about a human life. This life 

These first two quotes containing “voice” surrounded by negativity is obviously a tough time for the subject.  They might be in an internal disagreement with themselves.  It could be a disagreement between the heart and the mind.  Or the voice could be an actual voice.  There are infinite different things that these voices could be, but after reading this poem, it could be argued that the voices are an internal struggle.  Something in the subject’s mind is just constantly giving the subject negative thoughts. This voice could be depression.  For some reason the subject could be depressed, maybe a tragic event in their life.  This depression is probably what is giving the subject negative thoughts.

The third quote is when the mood starts to change.  The mood changes to be more positive.  Oliver writes, “But little by little, / as you left their voices behind, / the stars began to burn” which signals a turn of events (l. 26 - 27).  Even though the meaning of “voices” is never specifically defined, they are obviously something negative in the subject’s life, that is why the subject is leaving those voices behind.  The subject is in the beginning stages of overcoming their depression and being happier in their life.

Much like the third use of the word voice, the fourth time is also positive.  Oliver writes “and there was a new voice / which you slowly / recognized as your own,” which is another positive transition than from before (l. 27 - 29).  Whatever these voices were to the subject, they have left, and new voices have been introduced, with a positive reception.  Recognizing and having your own voice is symbolic of getting power.  Whatever the subject was struggling through, they found new power and overcame the voices.

After reading the end of this poem, it could be said that the subject overcame their depression, which had caused them to have these voices crying in their head.  Maybe some type of emotional epiphany happened to this subject which has now allowed them to be stronger and have their own new voice that is more positive and help them get over this depression.

These voices being depression makes sense, because depression is a literal journey.  Although depression is not something I have experienced firsthand, I have learned about it and know people who have suffered.  Getting through depression is a real breakthrough and Oliver demonstrates this with the shift of tone in this poem.

In Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Journey,” the subject is having a constant struggle with negative voices.  At first, these voices were negative and degrading.  Then in the end, they became the subject’s source of power.  The subject goes from having terrible experiences where the voices “cried” and “shout[ed] / their bad advice” to having a new voice more powerful voice where “the stars began to burn” (l. 4-5, 11, 25).  The subject overcomes some depression to make their life better. Even though it is not clear of the severity of the depression, it is enough to make the subject, or probably anyone, really sad. Oliver describes the journey that this subject has, starting with depression, and then finding the light at the end of the tunnel and overcoming it.