The poem, “The Journey,” by Mary Oliver, is a profoundly written poem about life’s journey, persevering through dark and troubling times, and trials and tribulations, to finding hope and achievement through personal growth and strength. The following analysis of the poem will illustrate the author’s theme of personal growth and strength in life. Through literary devices, she sets a grave tone using conflicting lines, straightforward formatting, and imagery. This journey that Mary Oliver speaks of shows how life can move from times of struggle to a bright future, by discovering the determination and fortitude within oneself.

Oliver starts “The Journey” with a solemn, grave tone. This sets a dark mood that envelops the first two-thirds of the poem. Oliver uses the literary device of conflict to deepen the dark mood and tone with the lines, “One day you finally knew what you had to do and began” (Oliver 1-2) along with “Though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice” (3-5). The mood, tone, and conflict all contribute to developing her theme that life is a journey, which may be difficult for a while. She also uses personification with her next two lines, “Though the whole house” (6) and “Began to tremble,” (7) which further creates the feeling of dark and troubling times, implying a shaky foundation at the start of this “journey.” The idea of the whole house shaking and trembling evokes fear of one’s whole world caving in on them, using the physical world to symbolize one’s emotional world.

At this point in the poem, Oliver adds to the conflict with the following lines: “Mend my life,” (Oliver 10) “Each voice cried,”  (11) “But you didn’t stop,” (12) “You knew what you had to do” (13).  She has quickly and succinctly established that life’s journey will entail struggles and hardships, perhaps externally and internally, but perseverance and self-awareness will lead to brighter days. Using personification again, the author continues to captivate the reader, creating a sense of foreboding with the lines, “Though the wind pried” and “With its stiff fingers,” (14-15) suggesting the need for strength and resolve to forge ahead through conflict. The conflict and personification contribute to a richer understanding of “The Journey.”

Oliver’s straightforward style is another element she uses effectively to quickly, yet richly, define her theme of “The Journey.” The short and brief lines of the poem contribute to a halting, foreboding feeling, but her carefully crafted sentences create a meaningful and powerful storyline. The breaks in the poem’s lines help the reader to grasp the stages of life’s journey that this poem depicts, allowing each brief line to sink in before moving to the next line. For example, Oliver uses line breaks at “Kept shouting” and “Their bad advice” as well as “Mend my life!” and “Each voice cried” (Oliver 4-11). Each short line offers vivid detail, achieved using very few words. 

Imagery is used very effectively as well to further enhance the rough road and troubles encountered in life’s journey. The following lines illustrate this: “and a wild night,” “And the road full of fallen,” Branches and stones” (Oliver 20-22). These words connote a stormy environment, highlighted by a strong mental image. The “wild night” implies an out of control scene, lacking intent and structure. The one on this journey will be stumbling and falling on the “road full of fallen branches and stones.” The darkness of night equates to the dark moments of the journey. Immediately following these lines, Oliver uses more imagery to create a turning point in the journey. “As you left their voices behind,” “The stars began to burn,” “Through the sheets of clouds,” “And there was a new voice” (24-27) all contribute to the turning point, connoting brighter, more optimistic times ahead. This imagery helps dramatically move the journey along to a more hopeful, positive environment. The reference to the stars burning through the clouds provides a sense of light and awareness, and no longer in darkness. The pair of lines concerning old voices and new voices signifies leaving the old and dark path of the journey and heading in a new direction, full of opportunity.

With the journey now on a brighter path, Oliver effectively completes the development of her theme of life’s journey with the last third of the poem.  Beginning with the line, “And there was a new voice” followed by the lines, “Which you slowly,” “Recognized as your own,” “That kept you company” (Oliver 27-30) all indicate a self-awareness and resolve to live purposefully, drawing on inner strength and fortitude. Adding to the brighter future, Oliver uses an interesting word in the next passage, “As you strode deeper and deeper into the world” (31). Typically, the phrase referencing walking deeper into a place is the “woods” instead of the “world.” Striding deeper into the woods suggests going back into a darker, possibly more dangerous place. Striding deeper into the world implies a wide, open space for unlimited possibilities in life, deliberately moving one’s journey in an optimistic direction through self-awareness, perseverance and resolve. The poem is inspirationally finished with the last lines, “Determined to save,” “The only life you could save” (35-36)

Each line in Oliver’s poem takes the reader on a journey, transitioning from difficult times in life to a brighter future, by finding the strength, determination, and willpower within oneself to succeed.  With the use of several literary devices, short lines with accurately chosen words, and powerful imagery, the author successfully develops the theme of life’s journey, creating a wholesome road map that leaves the reader with a clear understanding of the poem and Mary Oliver’s version of life’s journey.
