17 pages • 34 minutes read
The Journey
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Further Reading & Resources
Related Poems
“The Storm” by Mary Oliver (1997)
“The Storm” is a great example of contrast between two of Oliver’s poems. It features a titular storm that is positive, versus the negative symbolism of a storm in “The Journey.”
“Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver (1986)
Arguably one of Oliver’s most well-known poems, “Wild Geese” is a deceptively simple poem. In just 18 lines of free verse, the poem ties together the same strong nature imagery from “The Journey” with a message encouraging the reader to find their inner voice and a “place in the family of things.”
“Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman (1892)
Oliver’s poetry is deeply influenced by Whitman’s. In this poem, Whitman explores his inner knowledge, just as Oliver recommends doing in “The Journey.”
Further Literary Resources
“Maria Shriver Interviews the Famously Private Poet Mary Oliver” for O Magazine (2011)
Oliver discusses “The Journey,” her life, and her literary influences in this interview.
Upstream: Selected Essays by Mary Oliver (2016)
The excerpts from Oliver’s essays on the Penguin Random House website includes her discussing Whitman, Wordsworth, and the craft of writing.
“Mary Oliver Helped Us Stay Amazed” by Rachel Syme (2019)
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By Mary Oliver
