
Regardless of where one comes from or who they are, everyone will face struggles slowing them down from finding themselves at one point or another. Personal struggles will always vary depending on a given situation. Nonetheless, at some point everyone will be faced with some sort of difficulty. Mary Oliver’s poem “The Journey,” suggests that finding the “you” is a vital part of becoming a well-rounded adult. Along the way, she emphasizes hardships, as she is very much aware of what individuals must go through to get the best and most developed 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” is typically meant as a transition word, another way to say “despite the fact” or “although.” Mary Oliver conveys throughout 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 they must, to reach the highest peak of their lives. The style in which she writes this piece and uses the word “though” has a very strategic connotation. Not only is the meaning of the phrases including “though” significant, but also the number of times it is said throughout the poem. The number of times “though” is said could signify the number of obstacles that the individual must overcome. Had this phrase only been used once or even twice, it most likely would not be of any significance. As the first line reads, “Though the voices around you / kept shouting / their bad advice,” (Oliver 92) Oliver suggests a very vague idea many people struggle with. The word “though” is used four times in this piece. Each time it is used, it is read as if it is a list, reminding the reader of the aggravations existing in their lives, or the forbidding obstacles that are holding them back. Though this poem is not of long length, listing the obstacles that are keeping the reader from reaching their full potential; takes up a large majority of this poem. This is important because it displays the reader their background and where they are coming from. The list is an example of what they must 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” offers insight to positive things very quickly. This word furthers how present and relevant the drawbacks are. However, instead of looking at them as annoying, they can be turned around and looked at as a driving force and motivation to work harder to reach personal success in life. It is important to note that this word becomes a significant one in of the poem, without doing much except allowing the reader to interpret the poem in their own way. Instead of drilling a specific concept into the reader’s head, the author allows the individual to connect the poem back to themselves, and create their own interpretation of the story, using 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 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 the point of view to the reader to what she is essentially trying to present by using the word “though,” this will build and solidify Oliver’s message.

The individual may also read these phrases and think twice about their life. It could be possible that these annoyances holding them back are something that they were completely unaware of until it was placed in front of them while reading Oliver’s poem. 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-fulfillment, is to apprehend life’s challenges. The word “though” causes this occurrence due to the way the poem is sensibly 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. On the contrary, Oliver also presents the reader with possible matters that could lead them in the wrong direction to the achievement of their success. However, it is important that these issues are presented in front of the reader anyway, to become aware of what they should need to overcome. When thought through, this will make the end goal clearer because it is showing the reader the true importance and significance of self-fulfillment. 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 “though” phrases, whether it be a negative reminder, a positive eye opener, or a way to become more self-aware. It is assumed that these phrases completely convey her thesis: to overcome personal obstacles, the reader must be able to understand their struggles and find a way to beat them. 

Though individual struggles vary from person to person, it is and always will be a universal concept that everyone is faced with. Whether it be a drastic or minute obstacle, these struggles must be beaten to become the best version of one’s own self. Oliver suggests this through 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 understood differently. “Though” can also 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 creating an awareness to the challenges faced in everyday life.  
