“The Journey” by Mary Oliver has a very powerful message for many of us who feel like untethered souls, without a purpose, living for the sake of pleasing others, or for those of us who feel helpless in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.  Through the use of several literary devices and unique syntax Oliver creates a very commanding poem that provides a cathartic and inspirational message for the reader. The poem is centered on the theme of non-conformity and self-discovery; that we must all be the protagonist of our own narratives and not allow others to make choices for us or aim to please anyone but ourselves.  We must retain our sense of individuality by not giving into the “voices” that do nothing but “shout their bad advice” as Oliver states.  In addition, Oliver reminds us to be steadfast and unwavering in our goals despite negative external influences. These voices and distractions are simply deterrents that attempt to impede our progress in life. Through the use of powerful implicit illustrations and various rhetorical devices, Oliver is able to usher the reader towards a clear path to self-discovery and understanding the importance of staying true to ones self.

Oliver employs many literary techniques that enhance the effectiveness of her message. The poem is arranged in a very choppy manner. This causes a slow-paced reading of a poem that corresponds to the message the author is attempting to deliver: life is short and we must slowly appreciate it and take time to reflect upon it. The reader is able to slowly soak this in, stopping at each line. Our goals are rooted in our thoughts and we must not allow others to distort the voices in our head or impede our progress. We must do our best to emerge as the most authentic version of ourselves. The voice acquired through this rebirth and discovery “keeps you company as you stride deeper and deeper into this world.” Listening to ourselves and being non-conformist doesn’t isolate us; rather, it helps us navigate us through the rough currents of life, where we will be pulled in various directions. Through the slow reading of this poem with its various breaks, the reader is able to pause at certain points, reflect, and listen to themselves.  

The enjambments used by Oliver in this poem create a slight sense of anxiety for the reader. The prematurely ending lines are cut off intentionally to pull the reader to the end of the poem, which is the final goal of life; the ultimate end purpose. There are other structural arrangements in this poem that carry profound weight. The lines that correlate to positive achievements and growth are longer than other parts of the poem. For example, in line 13, Oliver states “you knew what you had to do.” This line is among the lengthier lines in the poem; it indicates a sense of higher self-awareness and understanding; a cathartic awakening. Another positive message which is distinctly lengthier than others is found in line 24; “as you left their voices behind” Again, there is a correlation between positive achievement and the length of the line.  There is also unique repetition of certain words that gives emphasis on certain periods of life. For the low moments, Oliver begins the lines with “though” to describe an adversity. Example, line 5: “Though the whole house began to tremble.” These short lines of adversity are usually followed by longer lines of growth and determination. This alteration between short and long lines adds emphasis to the message of resiliency this poem is conveying. Oliver is also able to convey a very personal feel to this poem; the reader feels as if he/she is being directly counseled by the writer. Oliver does by her frequent mentions of “you” and “your” throughout the poem. Towards the very end of the poem, Oliver intensifies the use of repetition. The words “save” and “do” are repeated towards the end. This ending closes the poem on a strong note; a call for action, compelling the reader to do take the message and implement it.

 Oliver uses vivid imagery to describe the distractions we encounter in life with images of “tug at our ankles” and a “road full of fallen branches and stone.” There is also an example of personification as she describes “the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundation”. The wind Oliver is referencing to can be traced to a strong obstacle that is negatively affecting an entire family. This obstacle is so strong that is capable of uprooting the entire house; or in other words, capable of destroying the family. Many of the metaphors Oliver uses are connected to nature such as “branches and stones” and “sheets of clouds” This is an appropriate connection since life mimics nature in many ways, most notably through it’s cycles of death and rebirth. All of these rhetorical devices collectively function to slow the reader down by showing all the various hurdles in life that unexpectedly pop up along the way. Oliver also makes specific reference to the plight of others. We will encounter many people who are facing struggles. As humans, we are all bounded by a common thread, which helps us display empathy and extend a hand to others in need. “Mend my life! Each voice cried. But you didn’t stop. You knew what you had to do.” Many of us find ourselves in this situation, being entrenched in the personal affairs of others that we often overlook our very own needs. Oliver beseeches us to let go and rescue ourselves first.  Oliver emphasizes this line with punctuation, creating a sudden stop.  This startles the reader, similar to the way many obstacles and distractions in our lives cause us to slow down. Again, Oliver’s clever methods of slowing and abruptly stopping the poem are extremely effective at grasping the reader’s attention.

None of us live seamless lives free of hardship. Despite our level of preparedness, we encounter many daily struggles we aren’t able to predict.  By stalling syntactical completion, Oliver emphasizes this point. She also gives the reader hope by following up with long lines of positive achievement. This gives the reader the courage and ability to reach towards the final goal of contentment and fulfillment. 