The world is filled with all different kinds of people, each with their own views and opinions. In Mary Oliver’s poem “The Journey”, the individual in the poem is trying to find out who they are in a sea of others. Oliver shows the contrast between what the individual wants and what others want for the individual by using the pronouns “you” and “their”. The contrast of these words highlights the difficulty that comes with walking your own path and create yourself. By using this comparison Oliver is able to convey the message of personal growth. Once an individual is able to find who they are, there are only positive repercussions to follow. Through the contrast of the words “their” and “you”, Oliver shows the importance of relying on one’s self instead of others in order to find their individuality. 

In order to grow, a person must be willing to change. The beginning of “The Journey” reflects on what the individual had to overcome in order to find out who they are. Oliver says “the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice” (lines 3-5), however, “you didn’t stop” (line 12). In the face of these loud opinions and opposing views, the person had to realized it was more important to keep moving forward rather than getting stuck in a crowd of others. This was no easy feat for the individual but “one day [they] finally knew what [they] had to do, and began” (lines 1-2). Society often makes us believe that we should be like everyone else. However, diversity is what makes each and every one of us unique. This diversity is not always seen in our society. Sometimes it may seem hard to be your own person, so instead being like everyone else seems to be the next best option. For some, this is an alright choice, however the individual in the poem would rather be their own person. Throughout the poem Oliver uses “their” to describe key influencers in the individual’s life. These people are friends, family, and society that are involved in the person’s life. They willingly gave the main character in the poem their opinions and wanted the individual to listen to them. The strong opinions of these people weighed heavily on the individual in the poem.  They often shouted “their bad advice” (line 5) and their opinions would “tug” (line 8) at the person. However, the individual in the poem realized it was more important to “leave the voices behind” (line 24) and follow their own path. 

There is no more freeing a feeling than that of individuality. Finding your own voice amongst a sea of people begging you to be like them is no small feat. The second time Oliver uses “you” and “their” it is clear that the tone of the poem has switched. In the first instance the individual is still struggling to leave the opinions of others behind. Although the individual knew what they wanted to do, they had not yet made it to the point of finding their own path. The individual was able to identify the situation they were in, and try to make a positive change. By the second time “you” and “their” were used the individual had “left their voices behind” (line 24) and discovered “a new voice” (line 27) of their own. So often people venture on their own but don’t make it past the “road full of fallen branches and stone” (lines 21-22), however, the main character in the poem was able to do this.

We are nothing if unable to grow and change with our circumstances. Mary Oliver exemplifies the growth of the individual in the poem by their ability to make their own path. In the face of opinionated friends and family, this individual strays from the norm and decides to find their own way. By Oliver’s repetition of pronouns “you” and “their” her message of straying from the norm is highlighted. The “their” she is discussing represents the people that want the individual in the poem to stay the same. By voicing their strong opinions and giving advice to the individual, they hinder the person’s ability to decide things on their own. This is not necessarily a mean gesture, but by doing this the “their” in the poem successfully hold the individual back.  This may not seem like a big deal to some, but for others a change is necessary. After dealing with these opinions for so long, the individual wants this change. Listening to others and taking their advice is no longer an option for them. Oliver uses the pronoun “you” to contrast what the person in the poem wants to what others want for that individual. By creating this comparison, the message of self reliance is shown within the individual's actions. The individual satisfaction that the person wants is not able to be found when others are voicing their opinions.  

We can be hindered by others and their opinions, however in reality the only limitations we have are those we place on ourselves. In order to find ourselves we must shy away from others and instead walk the path of life relying only on ourselves. Mary Oliver exemplified the journey an individual walks in order to find their path in her poem “The Journey”.  She successfully shows that the path of individuality is not an easy journey, but once the destination is reached, positive outcomes will follow. By using the pronouns “you” and “their” she highlights what an individual desires, and what others desire for that individual. Often what others want for us is not what we want for ourselves. Every one of us has the choice to listen to others, or instead listen more to ourselves. This poem creates a strong messages to anyone who is struggling to be their own person. The message is to walk your own path in order to “save the only life you [can] save (line 36) which is your own. 
