Throughout the journey of life, many will often find themselves to be their own biggest critic. It is increasingly common to doubt oneself and the decisions one is making as they struggle to find who they are. Many times, these doubts can conform into an identity of their own, and often feel like a person separate from oneself. It can be difficult to overcome barriers and grow as a person if one lacks self-confidence. Mary Oliver evaluates these concepts in her poem, “The Journey” in which the voices one hears portrays negative thoughts as they travel through their life. Oliver uses the word voices to represent our own thoughts and opinions of ourselves and how altering one’s perception can change the outcome of their story. 

Mary Oliver uses the repetition of the word “voices” to portray an individual’s own thoughts. She begins her interpretation saying, “though the voices around you / kept shouting / their bad advice” (Oliver 3-5) suggesting that “the voices” reflect one’s own, personal, negative thoughts and self-doubts. This includes questioning themselves and their actions along with convincing themselves that what they are doing is not good enough. The ongoing, internal battle that is occurring within oneself is represented by the “shouting.” The word “kept” indicates persistence with the bad thoughts. The word choice shows the intensity of these thoughts. They are unavoidable, obnoxious, and determined to make one change the way they view themselves. This “bad advice” that you cannot seem to escape from are the self-doubts, telling an individual that they are not on the right path. This “bad advice” aims to alter the person’s actions and persuade them to make different decisions. However, the problem lies in the individual’s overall confidence level rather than this “bad advice” in and of itself.  Through this, these “voices” are preventing an individual from further developing in life and progressing on their personal journey. The author uses this to introduce the conflict a person may be facing.

Oliver continues with another stanza saying, “‘Mend my life!’ / each voice cried. / But you didn’t stop” (lines 10-12). In this phrase, the “voice” holds the same reflection of oneself as in the previous few lines.  The “voice” is now pleading with them to “Mend [your] life,” encouraging that person to analyze all the things they are doing wrong and how they can fix these faults. The realization that these faults are not tangible is found in the next line in which Oliver says, “You knew what you had to do” (line 13). The “voices” are trying to persuade the individual to believe that what they are doing is incorrect but in reality, they are exactly where they are supposed to be and their life does not need mending. This is another attempt to get them to doubt themselves and change who they are as the “bad advice” tugs “at the very foundations” (line 16). These “very foundations” are the basis of their individuality. The description of “each voice” indicates that there’s more than one negative thought running through the individual’s head which can be difficult to overcome.  However, the transition from “the voices…/ …shouting” (3-4) to the “voice [having] cried” (11) out shows that the negative thoughts are lessening and losing power and control of the individual because “you didn’t stop” (12). This loss of grip is visible from the alteration of calling out, to the expression of distress from not being heard when the word “cried” is used. This perseverance shows that they are beginning to start to believe that there is nothing wrong with them and that there is nothing wrong with following their path. This ability to believe in themselves and their actions allows them to keep moving forward.

Contrary to the previous lines in which they took the self-doubts into consideration, “little by little, / as you left their voices behind, / the stars began to burn / through the sheets of clouds.” (Oliver 23-26). This progression being done “little by little” (23) shows that this difficult journey was something that could only be done by taking things one day at a time. The evolution was such a slow process because it is extremely difficult to change the way one thinks and the way one views themselves. Changing one’s perspective takes effort and perseverance. Once the individual “left their voices behind”, they let go of the negative self-talk. There is a great feeling of relief after one let’s go of the unconstructive opinions of oneself and one’s path. This is the first step to move on from one’s damaging, previously held perspective. Differing from other stanzas, in this phrase, “their” replaces previously used “the” suggesting that the negative thoughts are no longer their own. They are ready to replace them with “the stars”, more positive feelings about oneself and one’s actions. Through this, we learn that the “burn” Oliver describes represents the transition from layers of self-doubt and negative thinking shown through “the sheets of clouds” to a rebirth of one’s true, authentic self. 

Towards the end of Oliver’s “The Journey”, the individual came to a realization in which “there was a new voice / which you slowly / recognized as your own, / that kept you company” (27-30). This “new voice” represents their new found confidence in themselves along with their positive thoughts. This “new voice” differs from the old “voices” in the way that their thoughts and self-opinions are now designed to build them up and help them progress in their life, rather than prevent them from reaching their goals and halting their growth as a person. Because this was “slowly recognized as your own” shows that the journey of life and finding oneself is not an easy road to travel. Obstacles and struggles in life may obscure your “new voice” and cloud your judgement in the future. However, it takes persistence to gain stability in oneself and happiness in one’s life. However, because this “new voice… / …kept you company” (27-30) supports the idea that they are no longer struggling with the previous “voices” mentioned and that they are now strong, holding their own. The word “kept” indicates a long term result which shows the reader that with hard work and positive self-talk, an optimistic perspective is obtainable regardless of how loud their “voices” once yelled. 

Mary Oliver uses the repetition of the word “voices” to help relay her message throughout the poem, “The Journey.” She uses the word to represent our own thoughts and opinions of ourselves, as well as to show the reader how altering how you think can change the outcome of your story. In the beginning of the poem, the individual’s thoughts are filled with negative, self-doubts. They are demanding, and critical, halting their personal growth depicted as “bad advice” (5). Eventually, however, they “burn through the sheets of clouds” (25-26) and the transition of the meanings of the “voices” (line 3) begins. Through self-reflections and perseverance, these “voices” conform into positive, uplifting, thoughts and ultimately encourage the reader to follow their chosen path and believe in them self. This “new voice” is now representing one’s own, true opinion of themselves. The individual is now stronger and more confident, ready to take on any obstacles that may lie ahead. This alteration of the word helps to change the reader’s perspective. It aims to explain that throughout life, self-doubts are normal but that doesn’t mean you have to let them alter your actions and affect who you are. You can observe them, let them pass by, and continue moving forward. Through Oliver’s, “The Journey,” the reader is taught to believe in themselves, and preserver through the storm regardless of how hard the rain hits.
