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The Journey by Mary Oliver — Analysis & Translation

2 min read English

Original Poem

The Journey Mary Oliver One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice - though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. "Mend my life!" each voice cried. But you didn't stop. You knew what you had to do , though the wind pried

Translation (English)

One day you finally realized what you needed to do, and started, even though the people around you kept shouting their bad advice - even though the whole house started to shake and you felt the old pull at your ankles. "Fix my life!" each voice cried. But you didn't stop. You knew what you had to do, even though the wind tried to stop you

About the Poet

Mary Oliver (20th-21st Century)

Mary Jane Oliver (1935–2019) was an American poet known for her work inspired by nature. She won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and her poetry is characterized by vivid imagery and a deep connection to the natural world.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Historical Context

Literary Form
Free Verse
When Written
Published in 1963
Background
Mary Oliver's poetry often explores themes of self-discovery and personal growth. 'The Journey' reflects the struggle of finding one's own path amidst external pressures and expectations.

Sources: https://hellopoetry.com/poems/5249/the-journey, https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/words-of-wonder/the-journey-mary-oliver/, https://static.oprah.com/images/201104/omag/the-journey.pdf, https://margaretmcgoverne.com/2019/01/08/poem-of-the-month-the-journey-by-mary-oliver/, https://anthonywilsonpoetry.com/2013/08/20/lifesaving-poems-mary-olivers-the-journey/

Detailed Explanation

Mary Oliver's 'The Journey' is a powerful poem about self-discovery and personal transformation. It describes a moment of clarity when the speaker realizes what they must do to move forward in life. Despite the negative influences and pressures from others, symbolized by the 'voices' and the trembling house, the speaker remains resolute. The 'old tug at your ankles' represents past habits or fears trying to hold them back. The repeated cries of 'Mend my life!' from the voices indicate external demands and expectations. However, the speaker's determination to follow their own path is unwavering, even as the 'wind pried,' symbolizing external challenges or resistance. The poem captures the essence of inner strength and the courage to pursue one's true calling, despite obstacles.

Themes

  • Self-discovery
  • Personal growth
  • Courage
  • Independence

Literary Devices

  • Metaphor: The 'voices' represent external pressures and expectations.
  • Imagery: Vivid descriptions like 'the whole house began to tremble' create a strong visual impact.
  • Personification: The wind is described as 'pried,' giving it human-like qualities.
  • Repetition: The phrase 'you knew what you had to do' emphasizes the speaker's determination.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
tremble shake to shake slightly because of fear or cold trem-buhl
ankles joints between foot and leg the part of the body where the foot and leg meet ang-kuhlz
pried pulled apart to pull something apart with force prahyd
mend fix to repair something that is broken or damaged mend
cried shouted to call out loudly krahyd
voices sounds from people sounds people make when they speak voi-siz

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