

Life is a constant battle of losing and finding one’s self. The inner fight of the subconscious mind is a never-ending journey, in which the ultimate goal is self-discovery. Mary Oliver takes this idea and brings it to life in her poem “The Journey”. The theme of Oliver’s poem is about the internal journey that one takes through life in order to grow into an individual; she uses vivid language, powerful imagery, and an inspiring tone, that leave the reader with an overwhelming feeling to reflect on their own life. These literary devices, in turn, allow Oliver’s poem to relate to the struggle of the journey of self-discovery, ultimately leading one to humanity’s main goal: knowing who you truly are. 

Oliver’s word choice and structure of the poem allow for the reader to understand the beginning stages of this journey. The human life cycle is continuous and the poem follows this concept, as its sentences flow into one another. The syntax creates a dramatic feeling around the words. The poem does not have any breaks, lending to the continuous nature and thus causing the reader an uninterrupted impression of the progression of the journey. The dark connotation of the word choice sets the tone, and allows the reader to imagine him or herself in the poem. This provides a greater sense of imagery as one can envision the shouting and melancholy described. These words allude to the dark sides of society. From lines three to five she describes the outside influences: “though the voices around you/ kept shouting/ their bad advice” (3-5).  The word choice in these lines is very important; the open-ended words allow for the reader to imagine themselves with a perspective influenced by their outside experiences. Ultimately the outside is what makes the person the most confused. One hears the opinions and voices of others telling them how to live, and when they listen they lose their individuality. 

The writer wants us to find our own voice; this the next crucial step of the journey.  The most important piece of progression is the rejection of the voices of others. There is much to gain if one chooses to continue the personal journey, but it will not be easy. When one finally takes that plunge they began to see the rewards of the hardships. This is evidenced by line 12: “But you didn’t stop” (12). To contrast the beginning, there is an intense shift from dark to light by the end of the poem. The positivity of the tone helps uplift the reader and inspire them to find themselves. The presence of more joyous words and phrases lend themselves to a new imagery, one can visualize the breakthrough. The encouragement to push past these trepidations is seen in Line 13: “You knew what you had to do” (13), which helps keep the speaker continue their journey. Clarity has been reached and now the journey can continue as the reader looks within themselves to see their next step. Realizing your true self is a complicated process; fighting demons is part of the battle.  These demons are referenced in lines 23 and 24: “As you left their voices behind/ the stars began to burn” (23-24). These lines encompass the importance of the tone, they are meant to support. The brightness of the stars allows for one to envision light at the end of the tunnel. The tone therefore guides the reader’s understanding of the seriousness of individuality.

The writer uses the powerful imagery of ownership to prove listening to your own consciousness will help one find their way. She describes the speaker as going on: “Road full of branches and stones” (22).  The branches and stones are part of the metaphorical image Oliver is presenting. These hardships and problems keep one back, but if they continue to listen to the voice inside they can overcome them.  Owning your own actions is what leads one down the right path, and allows them to cut through the branches and stones. The honesty of your inner voice will not let you down.  Our inner thoughts are our own saving grace. Oliver conveys the idea of individuality through imagery in Line 24-26: “The stars began to burn/ through the sheets of clouds/ and there was a new voice” (26). This new voice is everything; it is what concludes the journey. The images of the stars create a sense of brightness surrounding the new voice. It is as if a light is shining through the clouds. The reader can picture listening to their own thoughts. This allows them to connect the dots and see what their future will look like.  In lines 27 and 28 she puts the last touches on the magnitude of self, stating: “Which you slowly, recognized as your own” (Oliver). These words leave the reader with the idea that one’s identity is the only thing they can ever truly own. Their character and their nature is what formulates their inner thoughts.  Oliver proves this through her use of imagery. 

The inner thoughts are what separate people.  Oliver’s idea that only you can save yourself proves this concept. She believes in the individuality of people. She proved this to her audience through her use of word choice, imagery, and tone.  The human desire to find oneself is a journey, and that journey is filled with hardships and self-doubt. When one overcomes, they are redeemed which allows them to grow into their true self. 
