The Summer Day Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Summer Day,” touches the reader in a moving, inspirational way. The author crafts the poem, making it seems like you are the one asking yourself the questions at the beginning of the poem. In the book of life, you are the one that decides what you really believe in. The poem is making the reader think exactly how precious life really is, whether you find beauty in God or nature. The language that Mary Oliver uses is truly magnificent that inspire different people through their own accomplishments.
Depending on how you view the world, the meaning of the poem may vary from person to person but the last two lines remain the same for everyone, “tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life” (18-19).
Right off the bat, the author asks the reader “who made the world? ” (1).
That question alone has trillions of different answers, depending on what God you believe in or if you even believe in a God. The poem continues on to ask the reader “who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? (2-3).
Once again, Mary Oliver puts you in control of the poem and makes it seem like you are asking yourself exactly how these creatures got on this earth. Are you a believer of creationism or evolution? These first three lines of the poem really determine how the rest of the poem flows into your mind. The creatures used in this poem create a magnificent thought process, more and more as you read the poem. I believe this gives the reader some self-fulfilling inspiration while they continue to read the poem over and over. Who made the swan, and the black bear? ” (2).
The Essay on Mary Olivers The Journey Analysis
Life is An ongoing Journey that all people must undergo. Mary Oliver causes the reader to fully experience the lifelong struggle of finding her/himself. Ultimately the common goal in this poem, and in our lives, is to show ones need to find his/herself through the countless obstacles in our way. The idea that this poem is ongoing and lacking stanza breaks can implicitly illustrate the notion that ...
A swan is such a gentle, relaxing creature that has a calm image in peoples mind. A bear on the other hand, is ferocious and fierce amongst its enemies. This question all points back to what you believe in. Why would a God that loves you so much create such a dangerous creature that you have to coexist with, or does this prove that evolution is the upper stance in life? “Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean-“ (3-4).
This persona that the author creates is what ties the whole poem together.
What exactly is a grasshopper? What is its purpose on the Earth? Ask yourself that same question; what is your purpose on the Earth? Mary Oliver indirectly persuades you to take a ride through your mind to come to a realization of what you have actually done and accomplished. That line makes you think of what goals you have lined up in the future, as well as passed goals. Are you going to be a human being that excels and achieves in this world, like the grasshopper that “flung herself out of the grass? ” (5).
This is something that everyone can agree on, whether you believe in evolution or creationism. We all have to achieve and excel to be considered successful. At the end of everyone’s life, I believe that some people wish that they could have done some things a bit differently. “Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? ” (16-17).
Are you satisfied with your life and what you have put faith in? Should I have spent more time with God, or does it even matter since everything dies in the end?
This all points back to the beginning when your thought process is working. Different memories and thoughts are powering through your mind to maintain a steady emotion throughout the poem, and then the author asks you, ”Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? ” (18-19).
The Essay on The Inevitable: "When Death Comes" By Mary Oliver
Death, a topic many struggle to realize is the inevitable. Many are sobered by the thought of an end to the life as they know it. Some are scared by the fact that today might be the last. If you look at people, many older people who have had the pleasure of living a long life seem to be ready and welcoming to the thought that death might be a new beginning. Mary Oliver, the author of “When ...
Crafting this poem in this articulate manner almost leaves a cliff hanger for the reader, something that they have to take with them so they can finish off their story of this crazy place we call life.
The author takes you on a wild ride that makes you think about life and the world as a whole, it’s offerings, what you really believe and what you want to become. Mary Oliver wants you to take that inspiration, which she gently placed on the grasshopper, and run with it for as far as you can. Just remember, when the time comes, you are the only one who can be satisfied with this “one wild and precious life” (19).
Works Cited “The Summer Day by Mary Oliver | The Writer’s Almanac with Garrison Keillor. ” Web log post. Flight by James Tate | The Writer’s Almanac with Garrison Keillor. Web. 08 Dec. 2011.
