Mary Oliver’s short poem, “The Journey,” reflects on the hardships of life and inspires hope in her audience. Oliver’s main purpose of the piece is to give a second-person contemplation of her own life leading up to this writing, in confidence that it may allow readers to survive life’s challenges with grace. In order to achieve this theme, Oliver developed the word “voice” throughout the piece. She allowed something that was once perceived as the most negative aspect of the journey to become the greatest strength of the protagonist. Without the growth of this term representing the growth of the speaker, Oliver would not be able to ignite inspiration and courage within her readers. The term “voice” goes through four major transitions within the poem, slowly progressing from an extremely negative perspective to a hopeful one. With this, Oliver imparts her wisdom upon her readers to remain steadfast amongst the tides of life.

The entirety of the first verse is written in past tense, as if the author is reminding herself of her own journey. All journeys require an obstacle to overcome and, in this instance, Oliver begins her story in the midst of her challenges. The vagueness of the particular obstacle Oliver is overcoming allows the reader to apply Oliver’s lessons to their own life. Oliver expresses that “…though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice…” the protagonist knows it is simply the first hurdle she has to jump (Oliver, 3-5). Due to the disheartening introduction of the word “voice,” it is automatically tainted with a negative connotation. The implication of these voices shouting “bad advice” brings a cynical and apathetic tone to the numerous voices (Oliver, 5). The word “voices” allows Oliver to fully illustrate the overwhelming fear inflicted on the protagonist from the beginning; it was not one singular voice “shouting” at her, it was multiple (Oliver, 4). The image of one person shouting is intimidating enough, but adding even more persons allows the reader to infer how small Oliver must have felt. Amidst this fear, however, Oliver is able to face the tough road ahead with surmounting courage. This idea becomes particularly evident when she does not recognize the people utilizing their voice: she dissociates the person and the action. This act of grace allows the reader to gain sympathy and respect for the protagonist as she seemingly ignores the damage done, and does not inflict any damage of her own. Oliver simply continues on her journey regardless of the trials and tribulations along her path. This expression of unfaltering fortitude and strength as Oliver is overwhelmed with opposition sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

While the first usage of the word “voice” was sharp and brooding, Oliver’s perseverance caused the voices to change their tone and action. Instead of shouting, the multiple voices were crying out, “mend my life!” tempting the protagonist to stray from her path(Oliver, 10). The difference in the connotation of “shouting” and “crying” in this context symbolizes the increased amount of desperation the voices have as they lose their power over Oliver. Likewise, those who have been verbally afflicting her “tug at [her] ankles” as they fight for her failure (Oliver, 8-9). It is pertinent to recognize the significance of the tugging at her ankles. The degenerates reached out for her ankles in a desperate attempt to knock Oliver down and render her unable to continue her journey towards happiness. The specification of “ankles” allude to the idea that those trying to make her fall are below her, which expands upon the wretchedness implied by previous descriptions. While it may seem as if Oliver’s opposition is too strong for her to defeat, the explicit use of the word “each” in “each voice cried” implies that there are so few voices at this point she can tell one apart from another, and depict what they are saying (Oliver, 11). The grasp Oliver’s foes had upon her is dwindling away as she becomes more confident in herself, refusing to “stop” and fail to reach her goal (Oliver, 12).

The poem begins to transition away from the darkness and negativity as “little by little, [Oliver] left their voices behind..." (Oliver, 22-23). Oliver spent the first two stanzas of her poem personifying her tribulations, and in these lines her tone shifts from one of fear, to one of relief. Her reference to the voices in this line provides a deep contrast between the beginning and end of the journey, which in turn aids the reader in comprehending the length of the journey- In the first stanza Oliver was the one who was made to feel small, but by the last stanza she is the one standing tall as her oppressors shrink away “little by little” (Oliver, 22). The growth Oliver experienced up until this line develops the hope inspired upon her readers.

The last use of the word “voice” transforms its connotation to one of empowerment. For the first time the word is paired with optimistic and hopeful descriptions, in "there was a new voice, which you slowly recognized as your own" (Oliver, 26-28). “voices” no longer symbolize rejection and fear, but instead symbolize her unwavering resilience. Likewise, the word “new” enhances this renewing of “voice” as Oliver has left her foes so far behind her that she can clearly listen to her own self guidance without opposition. Something that was previously so terrifying has been transformed into something beautiful and awe inspiring. Oliver finally tied the voice to something substantial; herself. 

The poem begins by describing numerous loud voices and then transitions through a slow silencing of those voices. The most beautiful thing about the final use of the word is that it is described as calm, comforting, and empowering instead of loud, oppressive, and hateful. The evolution of the connotations of the word perfectly accompany the theme of growth throughout the poem. “voices” carry an incredible amount of significance because it was the personification chosen to represent all three stages of her journey. It signifies how personal the experience was with the hero, for she had finally learned to listen to herself over what others were telling her. With this word also being the only constant within the piece, Oliver was able to more vividly express the emotions of her journey. Without the repetition of these words she would not have been able to as effectively conveyed the message of hope she was trying to send.
