Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel seems galaxies away.  Life is not worth living without meaning.  Does an absence of purpose mean an absence of life?  Pondering one’s purpose in life is an age old question.  The innate human need to find meaning pinches the hearts each and every day.  Eventually, one must decide his own mission and push through despite adversity.  In Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Journey”, she explores the notion of pursuing purpose in one’s life.  Through the use of word choice, symbolism, and metaphors Oliver exposes the reader to the challenges of finding one’s life mission and sticking to it. 

Within the first lines of the poem, the reader is able understand the speaker’s prior frustration through Oliver’s word choice.  The speaker is relieved because one has “finally” (1) discovered what to do in life.  The word “finally” shows frustration because it alludes to the culmination of an extensive journey.  Furthermore, the reader understands the incessant hardship of the “old tug,” as an aspect which prolonged the process the speaker refers to.  In addition to the “old tug,” the speaker describes all the “bad advice” (5) one must go through while searching for meaning.  The reader infers that one must take numerous difficult steps when searching for a plan. One might think the hardest part of life is finding one’s purpose; however, the real test is sticking to one’s purpose.  

Adversity sits behind every corner waiting to sway one away from his/her mission.  Oliver personifies wind to symbolize life’s adversity. The speaker states that the wind previously “pried” (14) with “stiff fingers” (15) at the lives of those who have found meaning in life.  Oliver chooses to describe adversity as wind because a breeze is always present.  Breeze can transform into a gust at any moment just as life’s challenging tests can come out of nowhere.  To convey what adversity or “wind” attacks, Oliver uses a double meaning of the word “foundations” (16).  As the wind tests the literal strength of building’s foundations, it figuratively tests one’s inner foundations constructed on personal core values or beliefs.  According to Oliver, if one is not morally confident, life will blow away any direction one possesses. 

Attempting to fulfill one’s personal calling in life is no minuscule task.  In order depict this task to the reader, Oliver uses the metaphor of a “road full of fallen branches and stones” (21-22). In which the “branches and stones” symbolize those who either never found their purpose or those who failed to fulfill their mission; they are those people who “kept shouting their bad advice” (Oliver 5-6).  Consequently, the reader understands that the world is full individuals trying to obstruct the paths of others. To evoke an eerie sentiment in the reader, Oliver uses a metaphor comparing life’s negative aspects to “sheets of clouds” (26).  The reader pictures a gloomy night with no end in sight.  The seemingly depressing mood represents life’s agonizing events that are nearly unavoidable. On the contrary, the reader feels a sense of hope when the “stars began to burn” (25) the clouds.  If the reader digs deep, he is able to see that Oliver is symbolizing he positive things in life through the stars.  He believes one is able to persevere through anything if one commits to being an optimistic person and looking for the good in the world.  When one is able to focus on his mission and not the negative parts of life, one is changed.  Oliver’s structuring of the poem must also be noted.

The syntax of the poem also alludes to the ongoing process of life.  “The Journey” is composed of multiple run on sentences which seem never seem to end.  Therefore, one may argue the syntax represents how the process to find inner meaning often seems infinite.  Oliver also uses other literary devices to convey his message.   

One will never be the same once they discover their meaning and how to stick to it.  Oliver says one will acquire a “new voice” (27) that will become his “own” (29) and “keep” him “company” (30).  This “new voice” is the voice of independence, which is gained by learning to think for oneself.  Once one thinks on their own, all that is important now is what he does with it; Oliver pleads for action.  Through the repletion of the words “determined” (33) and “deeper” (31), the reader understands that it is imperative to dive into one’s mission once he/she has the voice to do so. Oliver’s conclusion “to save the only life you can save” (35-36) organizes all the points in the poem.  The reader’s eyes are opened and he sees that he can only control one person in his life: himself. 

In “The Journey” by Mary Oliver, she ponders the process of finding and fulfilling one’s purpose in life.  By examining her use of literary devices, the reader learns that the key to feeling fulfilled and content with life is to control their own actions.  Oliver speaks directly to the reader and urges them to ponder life.  However, the poem lacks specifics, therefore causing each reader to evaluate their own purpose of existence. The reader ponders their life and is forced to be more aware of their life progress and where they are headed in his journey.
