Many authors use devices to help their readers have a better understanding of their works’ overall theme. Figurative language and other devices assist with the development of a general argument by the author. In Mary Oliver’s “The Journey”, Oliver uses several different words to help hone in on the theme of the poem. By looking at the various ways that Oliver uses certain words including “voices”, “determined” and “began”, we can see the development of the overall theme of individuality and the larger message of finding one’s self. 

The word “voice” or “voices” appears several times in Mary Oliver’s “The Journey.” Readers first encounter the word “voices” in line 3, when Oliver writes “though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice.” (Oliver, 92). Oliver begins the poem by representing the individual as a weaker character that is heavily influenced by society and the world. The individual has been conforming to society and listening to “bad advice” that may not be the best thing for them. Oliver begins the poem this way to show the individual’s journey from the beginning to the end. The author uses the word “voices” here to show how other people can become roadblocks in your life and how you must attempt to take the journey to find yourself.

Another instance in which the author uses the word “voice” is in the excerpt, “Mend my life!” each voice cried.” (Oliver, 92). Oliver uses the word “voice” here to represent even more abundant negative influences that could alter a person’s uniqueness and individuality. The author is implying that other people may become jealous of you throughout your life and may try to hinder your accomplishments or feed off of your success. Later on, Oliver writes “but you didn’t stop.” (Oliver, 92). The author is trying to convey the message that you are responsible for your own success. She believes that you should stay grounded in your values and stand up for what you believe in. After all, your values represent your individuality and character.

The word “voices” is also used in line 24 when Oliver writes “but little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds.” (Oliver, 92). This represents a shift in the poem. The individual is learning to overcome the demands of society and begins living their own life. The individual makes choices and decisions for themselves. The use of the word voices develops the theme of individuality here because the individual is leaving the various negative influences behind. The voices have a negative connotation and the individual is overcoming them.

The last use of the word “voice” is in line 27 of the poem. Oliver makes a bold statement by writing, “and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own.” (Oliver, 92). This use of “voice” is significant to the theme of the poem because the connotation of the word completely changes. The voice is now the individual’s own voice that they have found through their own journey. In the beginning of the poem, the individual was struggling to find their true self and was experiencing hardships, roadblocks and other challenges in their journey due to the “voices”. However, the individual learned to stay true to their values to overcome society and find true happiness.

Oliver also uses the word “determined” to help develop the theme of individuality in “The Journey.” Readers encounter the first use of “determined” in lines 33 and 34, where Oliver writes, “determined to do the only thing you could do” (Oliver, 92). The individual in the poem has just recognized and found his or her own voice. This line of the poem implies that the individual finally has the strength to do things on their own. They are no longer concerned about conforming to society and the ways of the world. Oliver uses the word “determined” to show the newfound strength that the individual has found from the journey.

Oliver uses the word “determined” again in lines 35 and 36. Oliver says, “determined to save the only life you could save.” (Oliver, 92). Earlier in the poem, Oliver suggests that evil people and negative influences were affecting the individual’s journey to find himself. The voices cried, “Mend my life!” (Oliver, 92). Oliver is implying that other people that have had wicked ways and made poor decisions in their lives are now expecting someone else to save them. She suggests that in order for an individual to be successful, they have to put their own needs and success above that of others. Oliver is conveying to readers that they cannot hold themselves back just to fix the lives of others. The use of the word “determined” in this part of the poem is significant because it represents the dedication of the individual to maintain their own personal strength.

Lastly, Oliver uses the word “began” to help develop the theme of individuality in this poem. Readers first encounter the word “began” in line 7, where Oliver writes “began to tremble.”  In the beginning of the poem, the individual experiences conflict with the other voices and influences in their life. The individual begins to fear that they will be held back by these negative influences forever. This is associated with the struggle that the individual has in the beginning of the poem, which represents the obstacles in the beginning of their journey. The word “began” is important to help the reader to better understand the theme of individuality.  It sets up the shift later in the poem where the individual finds their voice.

Oliver uses the word “began” again in line 25. Oliver says, “the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds.” (Oliver, 92). This represents a shift in the poem. The individual has learned to use his or her own voice to live their own life. They have learned to develop their own voice and to not be held back by others. The person being represented in this poem learned to overcome their hardships from the beginning of the poem. The “sheets of clouds” represent each of the struggles that the individual had throughout the journey but has now conquered. This expresses the theme of individuality. 

The words “voices”, “determined” and “began” in Mary Oliver’s “The Journey” emphasize the work’s overall theme to the reader. The author used these words in different contexts in each instance to develop the individual being discussed. The voices start out with negative connotations because they represent the struggles and harsh people that one will encounter in his or her life. The voices wanted the individual to conform to society and do what the world wants. However, the individual is determined to find their own voice by the end of the poem and begins to live their life the way that they want to. The uses of the words “voice”, “determined” and “began” as well as the overall shift of the poem develops the author’s theme of individuality. 