In Mary Oliver’s “The Journey,” she utilizes sensory imagery on multiple occasions to explore and convey her perspective on the journey of life. As the poem progresses, she makes reference to one’s sense of touch, sound, and sight in order to get her point across regarding perseverance in life. She also uses several comparisons and references to further the theme of the importance of perseverance and her message that anyone can be successful in life no matter the circumstances they are presented with. Throughout the text, Mary Oliver employs several uses of sensory imagery to emphasize the importance of persevering through life’s unique and challenging journey to reach an epiphany in which one becomes an authentic individual.

Oliver introduces the beginning of one’s journey by appealing to the reader’s sense of touch. She does then when she says, “though the whole house began to tremble,” which shows the reader that when they decide to make a major change in their life, they will be very uncomfortable at first (lines 6,7). Here, the word “house” is representative of one’s body because when one begins their journey, they are uncomfortable and may become nervous just as the “house” begins to “tremble” in the poem (6,7). Oliver uses the word “house” because a house is usually where one lives and finds comfort, but when their home becomes unstable, they are forced to move and make change, which most people do not like to do. The house trembling suggests that one may begin tremble under peer pressures in life. By appealing to the sense of touch, she emphasizes to the reader that there will always be worldly distractions and peer pressures to hold one back in life, which is a reoccurring theme throughout the poem. The intensity and abruptness in which the author describes the person’s ankle being pulled and the trembling house with also shows the reader that the distractions that life presents can never be expected. It is also important that she uses the word “whole” because people can change some aspects of their lives without feeling uncomfortable, but if the entirety of one’s life changes, then they will be put in a position in which they are forced to change (6). Here, she appeals to the reader’s sense of touch to show that at the begin of one’s journey, one’s conscience may be so confused and anxious that their body may literally shake just as the “house ... began to tremble,” in the poem (6,7). 

She again utilizes the sense of touch to show the reader the difficulties of beginning their journey of life when she says, “And you felt the old tug at your ankles” (8,9). When she says this, she implies that “tug” is a distraction and “old” implies that life has tried to stop someone on their journey before and will again with these tugs or distractions. This proves that life will always have challenges to conquer in order become an authentic individual. Here she conveys the immobilizing effects of peer pressure by singling out a specific body part, the ankle. It is important that Oliver uses the term, “ankle” instead of any other part of the human body because ankles are essential to moving forward and in this context, ankles are symbolic of moving forward in life (9). Also If someone tugs at one’s ankle, it could also be implied that the one tugging is on the ground which implies that they are in need of some sort of help getting up. This shows the reader that in life there will constantly be people who failed at their journey trying to live vicariously through others’ journeys. It is important that she emphasizes that others will constantly be trying to hold others back because it highlights her point that one must persevere through all of the worldly distractions they may face. She underscores her main point when she says, “But you didn’t stop,” because this shows the reader that one must persist in their journey to change as a person and that one must never give up in their pursuits (12). It is also important that she uses the word, “But,” here because it implies that there is a reason for enduring life’s challenges. Here she shows the reader that there is a reason for everyone to continue their life journey.

As the poem progresses, Oliver again highlights the constant and strenuous nature of one’s journey through life through her use of sensory imagery. She appeals to one’s sense of touch when she says, “and the road full of fallen branches and stones,” (21,22). Here she appeals to the reader’s sense of touch for the purpose of showing that life’s journey will be painful at times. Like the common saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones,” her use of the words “sticks” and “stones” suggest that one will not only be mentally challenged, but also physically challenged throughout life (21,22). Her use of the words “sticks” and “stones” also suggests that one must be broken down mentally and physically before they can be built back up into a strong and unique individual. This implies that there will be pain involved because it usually causes people some sort of pain to be totally broken down whether it be mentally or physically. Her use of the word “fallen” in this context also alludes to the fact that the “sticks and stones” could refer to others who have tried to be authentic individuals but have failed and think they need help to complete their journey (21,22). Oliver also implies building one’s self back up is by no means an easy task when she uses the words, “little by little,’ to describe this process (23). By choosing these words, she again underscores the fact that life’s journey is an arduous process that takes time. 

Oliver finally gives the reader a sense of hope by appealing to the reader’s visual senses. She does this when she says, “the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds,” which shows the reader that there is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel for all those who persevere through all the struggles they face during their journey (25,26). It is important that she appeals to the reader’s sense of sight here because in the end of one’s journey, one begins to see clearly what they have been working towards their whole life. Here, the word “stars” is important because it represents light which is symbolic for hope. It is important that the word “stars” is uses here instead of any other word that represents light because, stars are among the brightest objects in the universe and are in a way a beacon of light for us to follow. She appeals to the reader’s sense of touch one more time by using the word “burn,” which is important because burning is a slow process just like the process of becoming a totally new and improved person (25). The pain of the journey of life is also conveyed through this word usage because if one is burned it can be very painful.  

Oliver also shows the reader that their journey is theirs and nobody else’s by appealing to the reader’s auditory senses. She does this when she mentions the people crying out, “Mend my life!” which emphasizes that certain people who are struggling or even failing at their journey will try to have others help them succeed (10). Here, the word “Mend,” is important because mending is a temporary fix to a long term problem; Therefore, the word “Mend” implies that the objecting being mended will eventually break again and will require more fixing which will take away others’ time to progress in their life journey. It is important that one only focuses on their own journey because that is what makes it unique to them. Once one realizes this, they can successfully leave, “their [other’s] voice behind,” and continue with completing their personal journey (24). Here, Oliver shows the reader that they may have to be selfish at times in order to achieve their personal goals.

In the end, Oliver uses different sensory images to convey her message to the reader that people and other worldly distractions are going to try to keep them from reaching the end of their journey, but if they persevere through all the interferences, they will come to a profound realization and truly become an authentic individual. These sensory images show the reader that each stage of their journey will have its own unique set of challenges, but in the end, it will be well worth the effort. She also mentions that at the end of the journey, one will hear a “new voice” which is “your own” voice (27, 29). This is ironic, because a person is born with their own distinctive voice, but it can sometimes take years, even a lifetime to truly find it. This shows the reader that no matter the circumstances one may be placed in life, one can always find a way to complete their journey because everyone has an inner voice leading their ever decision. The fact that everyone has their own personal voice at all times further strengthens the message that the imagery in “The Journey,” conveys because no one has an excuse to rely on others to complete their journey.