
Regardless of where one comes from or who they are, everyone struggles to find themselves at one point or another. Depending on the situation, struggles may vary. Nonetheless, everyone will be faced with some sort of difficulty. Mary Oliver suggests that finding the “you” is a vital part of becoming an adult. Along the way, she emphasizes the hardships, as she is very much aware of what individuals have to go through to get the best part of one’s life. “The Journey” would not be what it is without the frequent use of the word “though.” It allows each individual reader to interpret the poem in their own way and relate it back to themselves. The reader is able to puzzle piece it to be what they need it to be, for the sake of their own personal development. It becomes a way to relate one’s life to the struggles listed by the author. Mary Oliver’s repetitive use of the word “though” in her poem, “The Journey,” aids in the thematic understanding of the message being conveyed. The use of this word throughout the following phrases furthers Oliver’s idea by providing insight as well as background that dives deeper into the personal interpretation of self-discovery. 

As common sense suggests, the conjunction “though” typically means something along the lines of “despite the fact” or “although.” Mary Oliver conveys in her poem that at some point, the reader must get over the haunting fear of being held back by people or surrounding situations and do what is meant to be done. The style in which she writes this piece and uses the word “though” is very strategic. Not only is the meaning of the phrases including “though” significant, but also the amount of times it is said in the poem. This could mean that the individual is being dragged down by numerous and overbearing weighting forces. Had this phrase only been used once or even twice, it probably would not be of much significance. As the first line reads, “Though the voices around you / kept shouting / their bad advice,” (Oliver 92) Oliver suggests a very vague idea that many people struggle with. She uses the word “though” four times in this piece. Each time it is used, it is read almost as if it is a list, reminding the reader of the annoyances existing in their lives, or the obstacles holding them back. This poem is not of long length, however the listing of the things keeping the reader from reaching their full potential, take up a large majority of this poem. This is significant because it shows the reader their background and where they are coming from. This is what they have to get through and overcome to be where they are supposed to be in life. 

As the attitude and tone of this poem shift very quickly halfway through, the stanzas involving “though,” can begin to be interpreted differently. Instead of becoming a constant, nagging reminder of everything holding the reader back, the word “though” allows things to become positive very quickly. This word furthers how present and relevant the drawbacks are. However, instead of looking at them as annoying, they can become a driving force and motivation to work harder to succeed in life. It is important to note that this word becomes a significant portion of the poem, without doing much except allowing the reader to interpret the poem in their own way. Instead of drilling a specific idea into the reader’s head, the author is allowing the reader to connect the poem back to themselves, and create their own interpretation of the story, one that relates back to their own struggles. The line, “little by little, / as you left their voices behind, / the stars began to burn / through the sheets of clouds” (Oliver 92) shows the reader how even when things may get difficult, there is always a way to turn around and look on the brighter side of situations. While providing an opposite argument with “though” and opening up the point of view to the reader to what she is essentially trying to present by using the word “though,” this builds and solidifies Oliver’s message.

The reader may also read these phrases and think twice about their life. Maybe these annoyances holding them back are something that they were unaware of until it was placed in front of them. By becoming more aware, obstacles can be avoided at a more efficient rate. One of the first steps toward achieving a goal, or a feeling of self-discovery, is to apprehend the challenges in the reader’s life. The word “though” allows this to happen because of the way that the poem is worded. The author suggests over and over, “One day you finally knew, / what you had to do, and began,” which shows how important it is to reach your full potential, but while doing that, she is also bringing up ideas which could lead the reader in the opposite direction of their goals. If thought through, this will make the end goal clearer because it is showing the reader the true importance and desire that the end goal creates. Instead of looking at the list of withholding nuisances, it can be beneficial to see what has been holding the reader back for so long. There are multiple ways to interpret the way she uses the “though” phrases, whether it be a negative reminder, a positive eye opener, or a way to become more self-aware, it can be assumed that these phrases completely convey her thesis: to overcome obstacles the reader must be able to understand their struggles and find a way around them. 

Though individual struggles vary from person to person, it is still a universal concept that everyone is faced with some sort of obstacle, an obstacle that must be beaten in order to become the best version of themselves. Oliver suggests this through the several uses of the word “though” in her poem “The Journey.” The word “though” can be interpreted into multiple, different meanings. At first, the reader may interpret the word as a negative connotation for the obstacles in their life. However, as the poem progresses, it can easily be changed to form a different meaning. “Though” can soon be a way to signify “despite the fact” or “in spite of,” meaning that even though the reader is faced with challenges, they will be able to overcome them with a little bit of effort. The use of the word “though” in Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Journey” allows the reader to form their own interpretation of the text. This interpretation will guide the reader toward self-success by making them more aware of the challenges they will face in life.  