In the text “The Journey” by Mary Oliver, she writes about overcoming obstacles on a journey. Throughout this journey, many voices try to stop the person on their journey, and convince them not to continue. Other obstacles are also encountered along the way, since the text takes place outside. Mary Oliver uses the repetition of nature to convey the struggle and the difficulty of the journey that takes place.

The first use of nature is found in line fourteen when the word “wind” is used. Oliver states, “You knew what you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations” (14). Nature is used here as another obstacle that the person has to overcome. The wind is trying to break down the house to get to the inside, which compares to the people trying to break you down and get to you. Wind is used as an obstacle, because wind is just air that starts blowing fast. Air is always there, and it never appears as a threat. In fact, air is a necessity for living, and you depend on it. However, when air becomes wind, it can cause serious damage. This obstacle relates to people or things that you wouldn’t expect to inhibit or hurt you, however they can and will under the right conditions.

The second use of nature is in line twenty two when fallen branches and stones are encountered. Oliver states, “It was already late enough, and a wild night, and the road full of fallen branches and stones.” (22). Nature is also used here as another obstacle that the person overcomes in their journey. However, the meaning of the sticks and stones can have a different interpretation. Branches, or sticks, and stones have fallen on the road, and make it harder to make it down the road. Sticks and stones have also been used in the saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” In the saying, the sticks and stones cause actual physical damage to the speaker. This time, the obstacle that the person has to overcome is actual physical pain. This obstacle of pain could be an injury that an athlete has to recover from, or it could be one that can make everyday tasks harder to accomplish. Overcoming this type of obstacle is essential, especially for an athlete if they wish to continue their journey of competing in their sport. 

The third use of nature is in lines twenty five and twenty six when stars and clouds are mentioned. Oliver states, “But little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds” (25-26). This time the use of nature has two meanings, however they go together. The clouds are finally clearing, to make space for the stars that have been trapped behind them. Although the clouds aren’t an obstacle that the person has to actually overcome, they still block the only light that can be used to see the road at night. Stars can either refer to the balls of plasma in the sky that shine bright, or they can refer to people. Stars are usually related with success. When a little kid does well on a test, the teacher may put a sticker of a star, or draw a star on their paper to show they did a good job. A star is also used when referring to someone who excels at their job, such as a great actor, or athlete. However this meaning of star is used, it still represents a goal that people strive to successfully complete. This use of nature has a positive meaning, however the clouds do not. The clouds block the stars from shining, and therefore once the clouds dissipate, the stars can reach their full potential. 

The many uses of nature in the text have similar uses, but different meanings. The wind, branches, stones, and clouds are all obstacles that the person has to overcome while on their journey to make it to the end. The reason that nature is used so frequently is not just because the text takes place outside. There are many different elements to nature, and even though it can be peaceful, it can also be destructive in several ways. Mary Oliver uses this variety to get the point across that obstacles can come in many different forms, and even if at these obstacles appear to be innocent, they can quickly become destructive. Nature is also familiar to everyone, and so is the task of overcoming obstacles. You are not the only one who needs air in order to live, and you are neither the only person who fails, and has to try again, or get back up. Nature is always around you, and so are obstacles, and it is just a way of life to get over obstacles.
