
Many different authors, poets, and other writers use the repetition of certain words or phrases to get across a strong message. Sometimes, the writers use the same word or phrase multiple times, but instead of having the same meaning, they have hidden messages that develop within them. Therefore, Mary Oliver uses the repetition of the words “voice” and “voices” to develop and change the tone of the poem “The Journey.”  The shifting tone used throughout the poem helps define the words “voice” and “voices” which assists to provide a deeper understanding to the words to aid the true meaning about society’s cries and further shape the poem’s meaning. 

The first time that the word “voices” is used in the poem, it displays the idea of how the voices are trying to hold the speaker back. In line three, Mary Oliver states: ¨though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice...¨ (92) The speaker is trying to move forward in life and get past the negativity coming from other outside voices. This line is telling the readers that the voices are trying to slow the speaker down from defining herself. Line three also mentions bad advice and tells the readers that if you listen too much to what other outside voices are saying, you won't accomplish your goals. The shouting of bad advice is a symbol for corruption in our society. The hidden message in this line is that society might hold you back with its corruption, but you cannot stop pushing forward through their peer pressure. This is the first time voices is used in the poem, and because of that, it leaves a strong impact. Because it is the first time it is used, it helps to create an original understanding for the word that will later change its meaning later on in the text. This line is important for readers to understand because it identifies that the speaker is becoming stronger and does not stop and fall into the trap that the voices have set. The speaker continues to break through the negativity, fight the peer pressure that the voices have on her, and move on in finding herself.

The speaker is not the only one who is attempting to escape from the terrible influence that society can have on people. The word “voice” in line eleven, is a symbol for the help needed by others so they can find their own voices and break away from the norms that society has in place. Readers know that whoever these voices may be, are crying out for help because they themselves are not strong enough to break free from societal pressure. These voices are also a representation of society; however they are crying out to the speaker who is escaping the conformities that are expected. These voices are calling to her to help them find their own voice, or their own unique opinions as well. This is what all humans naturally do, when someone needs help he or she tend to go towards the person who is succeeding. In this case, the speaker of this text is shown to be resisting the temptation of following social norms so therefore she is succeeding in other people’s eyes. The speaker is ignoring everyone else's cries for help because in order for them to move forward, they must be able do it on their own. Readers can identify the struggle and gloominess from the author's tone when Oliver states “though their melancholy was terrible-” (92) The reason behind this tone is to show readers that things must get harder before they get better. Despite being harassed and tempted from the cries of others, the speaker chose to continue on her journey to find herself. The speaker’s journey will not be interrupted by the constant cries of society to conform to their values but the speaker is trying to find her own voice and in order to do that she have to leave the others behind.

Despite the voices trying to pull the speaker in, the speaker has found a way to overcome them and walk her own path. Mary Oliver states in line eleven ¨as you left their voices behind.¨ (92) The voices are meant to represent those who had conformed to society and are unwilling to leave the comfort that they feel from falling into the peer pressure. The speaker  in this poem is no longer listening to “their melancholy” and has started listening to her own voice. “Little by little” (Oliver, 92) the speaker is learning to follow her own voice and go down her own path. The path she travels is difficult, as society can trap people and make it feel as if he or she accepted, and hold them back from finding their true self. These “voices” left behind are trapped in the customary views of society and will have to find their own voice.

Within finding her own voice, the speaker is able to stand out against society’s negative aspects and bring light into her own life that could potentially be influential among others. “Voice” is used one final time in the poem at line twenty-seven where the author says “…and 

there was a new voice-” (92). This line shows that the speaker  has completely overcome 

the bad influences that society was throwing her way. Many details in this section of the poem were 

added to give the ending an uplifting tone. In the beginning of the poem she was struggling against the voices that were trying to hold her back. She kept pushing through and ignoring their cries and melancholy and she was finally able to find true liberation in discovering her own voice. The word “voice” represents the climax of the poem in which that voice is unique to the speaker and where this ultimately get better for the her. The use of the words “the stars began to burn/through the sheets of clouds,” added to the great triumphant overcome of society's views. (Oliver 92) This is when she finds her own voice and discovers her true self, an accomplishment which took a lot of struggle and bravery. Mary Oliver added strength in the speaker to make the climax stronger to get readers hooked until the ending. The details added such as the stars and clouds show that things are clearing up for the reader and becoming more bright and joyful. Imagine seeing a stormy day where the dark clouds are covering the sky above, and then the light from the overwhelmingly beautiful stars, the sun, once hidden by the dark clouds is now clearly visible. These stars light up the world and they bring more brightness into everyday light. Like in the eye of the hurricane, the speaker in “The Journey” stands out among society because she is the peaceful eye, and the rest of society is the terrible storm surrounding her. The main idea in the use of the word “voice” in this poem is to express the new discovery of the speaker’s true, authentic self. Its meaning is to follow our own voices and be our own individual person instead of a follower of society.

In conclusion, Oliver uses the word “voice” or “voices” to mean many different things. These different meanings help to define different tones throughout the poem. The first time the word “voices” was used it gave off a negative tone and was surrounded by negative ideas, and in the very end the word voice was used to represent the discovery of one's true nature, or the discovery of oneself. This discovery brightens the mood and brings the poem together to end on a happier note. Oliver did a terrific job implementing different ideas into a single word to help define her poetry, and used hidden meanings for the word “voice” to describe the corruption of society and to also describe the voice of one's heart, guiding them to the discovery of one’s self.
