Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Journey” is a universal message about transformation. Throughout the poem, the speaker challenges the audience to reject the criticism and dead weight of others. The speaker urges the listeners to find their own voices. The key to success in this “journey” is to be true to themselves and make personal wellbeing a priority. There are many lines throughout the poem in which the author urges the audience to ignore the negativity in life and listen to their own intuition. The first example of this is in the first few lines of the poem.

Mary Oliver first urges her readers to ignore outside voices and people calling for help in the first few lines. The first instance of this is when she states, “Though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice”(lines 3-5). In this instance, the word “voices” is used as a symbol of internal and external voices holding the reader back. This line from the poem is explaining how both voices coming from within the speaker, and from the critics of the speaker are trying to delay the success of the journey. By starting off with this line early, the reader is already hinting at the fact that external voices do nothing but get in the way of success. She is explaining that listening to this bad advice will do nothing but set back the audience’s progress, and that the audience’s personal intuition is the only thing they should listen to. 

In addition to this, These voices are a roadblock in the path to success, whether it comes from negativity inside the speakers own mind or from the neediness of others. The speaker mentions the “voices” crying out, “Mend my life!” (line 10). This line shows how the speaker must learn to bypass the constant needs of others if it gets in the way of personal success. This line in the poem evokes a sense of emotion in the audience. By describing the “voices” and desperately calling out makes the audience feel as if they are obligated to help the needy “voices”. By evoking this emotion in the audience, the reader is trying to prove to the audience that putting the constant needs of others in front of their own will only delay their personal success. It puts the message across that the audience can either choose to put their goals aside and cater to the needs of others, or ignore the neediness and continue on their own path. As much as the author shows the “voices” in a negative light, she also uses the “voices” in a positive context to prove her overall point.

As much as the “voices” are seen as a negative aspect of the speakers “journey”, the “voices” can also be seen in a positive light. The speaker describes recognizing their own voice, and saving themselves from the problems of life. A quote that describes the “voices” as a positive aspect in the “journey” is, 

“There was a new voice which you slowly, recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world, determined to do the only thing you could do- determined to save the only life you could save” (lines 27-36). These lines demonstrate how following the speakers true thoughts and “voices” is a positive aspect on the journey to individual success. What the speaker is telling that audience is that throughout life, everyone hits roadblocks does not always receive the positive reassurance they need. Many people will put their own needs and aspirations aside to help other who are needier, instead of following their best interest at heart. The speaker is telling the audience that in the path to success, individuals must sometimes put the needs of others aside to truly focus on themselves. This goes for anyone trying to achieve a goal. 

“The Journey” by Mary Oliver uses repetition of the phrase “the voices” to symbolize different elements of the speaker’s path in life. This poem is ultimately trying to convey to the audience to listen to their inner voices, because it can only lead them down the right path.  The speaker also describes the voices heard externally, which are the distractions that can discourage the listener from following their individual path. The term “voices” is used repetitively to emphasize the importance of both internal and external voices. The negative aspects of the voices are used as an example to the audience to not let others opinions not affect personal want and determination. The positive aspects of the “voices” seen in the poem is a symbol of the speakers inner voice. It is showing the audience that following their hearts and instincts will do them no wrong. The positive and negative “voices” are used to show the key to success in the speakers journey, which is a also universal lesson to every person. 
