An Analysis of Mary Oliver’s Poetry
Mary Oliver’s poems, featured in The Norton Anthology of American Literature, are simplistic in their structure yet deep in their meaning. The poems are written in free verse with no traditional rhyming scheme, and each line is written succinctly using enjambment. This creates an interesting effect that allows the reader to stop at each line pause to digest the meaning and imagery of each statement, yet it also leads the reader into the next line without disrupting the rhythm of the poem.
In this collection, most of Oliver’s poems contain four lines in each stanza (quatrains), excluding “Wild Geese” and “Alligator Poem.” Each stanza flows together effortlessly to create a short scene filled with images of nature and/or animals. The poems contain thought-provoking insights into the nature of life itself, and her poems include themes such as living life without regret, the inevitability of death and loss, humans vs. nature, and the beauty of wildlife—themes in which any reader can easily relate. In particular, Oliver seems to focus on the fleeting nature of life and the struggle in accepting one’s own mortality (or the death of something or someone beloved), while also trying to live life with a sense of happiness and fulfillment. She also uses metaphors and similes to evoke powerful imagery in her poems.
In addition, Oliver’s poetry was written long after World War II had ended, which places her poetry in the postmodern period. Some of the postmodern elements contained within her poems include the free verse form and the lack of traditional rhyming structure; her vivid reflection and emotions; her brief streams of consciousness; her varying nontraditional topics that included the nature of life and death; and the use of vivid imagery with its own distinct line within the stanza.
“The Black Snake” is a poem written in stanzas consisting of four lines, and it focuses on the suddenness of death. Oliver writes about a black snake suddenly killed by a truck. The narrator stops her vehicle and gives the snake a proper burial under some leaves. Oliver uses powerful imagery when she refers to the dead snake as being “as an old bicycle tire” (line 6). The “suddenness” of the snake’s death causes the narrator to reflect (as she drives off) on the “terrible weight” of one’s impending death (13-14). This depressing thought is soon interrupted with a happier thought: The fact that all life has ingrained within it a will to live, as well as a feeling of somehow having the ability to escape death. As the narrator reveals, this force caused the snake to cross the road in the first place. This poem perfectly captures the sobering fact that death often sneaks up on us. However, life is worth living, and we should live each day as if we will never die.
The poem “In Blackwater Woods” also contains stanzas consisting of four lines, and its major theme is that of the loss of a beautiful forest due to fire, as well as the ultimate loss of love in life. Oliver reveals her love of nature—a common theme in most of her poems—by describing the beauty of the trees and their “fragrance of cinnamon / and fulfillment,” (lines 7-8). Oliver seems to lament the loss of the forest, and she speaks of how we humans will never fully understand salvation (25). Perhaps the most striking part of this poem is the last two stanzas, in which Oliver suggests that you must do three things to live in this world: “love what is mortal / to hold it / against your bones knowing / your own life depends on it; / and, when the time comes to let it go, / to let it go” (30-36). This powerful summary perfectly captures a deep truth: so many of us will form a deep love with things (and people) that will ultimately perish. This experience, Oliver points out, is a necessity of life itself.
The poem “Wild Geese” is written in one long stanza, and its major theme is that of finding acceptance in the world. Oliver seems to urge the reader to stop regretting things in in the past, to stop seeking forgiveness, and to learn to live carefree with a new direction in life, soaring like the geese. Oliver acknowledges that we all have faults and troubles, “Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine” (line 6). Nevertheless, “the world goes on,” notes Oliver (7). She concludes the poem with an inspirational thought: No matter what you have done, who you are, or how horrible you feel, you have “your place / in the family of things” (17-18). This poem is a great poem that reminds us all to let go of the past, to stop being so hard on ourselves, and that we are all have our place in this life.
The poem “Poppies” is written in nine stanzas consisting of four lines, and the major theme in this poem seems to be that of living life vibrantly (like the colorful poppies), even though death will certainly come. Oliver opens this poem by describing the radiant beauty and magnificence of the poppy: “The poppies send up their / orange flares; swaying / in the wind, their congregations / are a levitation / of bright dust, of thin / and lacy leaves” (lines 1-6). However, she reminds us all that the “indigos of darkness” will eventually drown us all (10). This seems to reference the inevitability of death. Even though the poppies may shine “like a miracle,” the “black, curved blade” will eventually hook forward, killing us all at our appointed time (13; 17). Oliver summarizes this thought by saying, “loss is the great lesson” (20). However, Oliver then has an empowering thought: Even though death is inevitable, we—like the vibrate poppies—can enjoy each day without regret or fear. We can truly embrace life for what it is (just like the poppies), including death. She seems to almost mock death with the ending: “and what are you going to do— / what can you do / about it— / deep, blue night?” (33-36).
Oliver’s poems contain many themes on the nature of life and the inevitability of death. Though her poems often contain depressing elements of loss and darkness, they also inspire us to live our lives to the fullest. Her use of rich metaphors and similes paint powerful imagery. She artfully uses few words to relate deeply pondered streams of thought and reflection. Her poems are best classified as postmodern since they were written after World War II, and they contain free verse, short streams of consciousness or reflection, and have frequent themes of the loss of loved objects or people. Overall, Mary Oliver’s poetry was by far the most interesting, meaningful, and contemplative poetry assigned as a reading this semester.
Works Cited
Oliver, Mary. “The Black Snake.” The Norton Anthology of English Literature.
Gen. ed. Stephen Greenblatt. 9th ed. Vol. E. New York: Norton, 2012. 700. Print.
Oliver, Mary. “In Blackwater Woods.” The Norton Anthology of English Literature.
Gen. ed. Stephen Greenblatt. 9th ed. Vol. E. New York: Norton, 2012. 700-701. Print.
Oliver, Mary. “Wild Geese.” The Norton Anthology of English Literature.
Gen. ed. Stephen Greenblatt. 9th ed. Vol. E. New York: Norton, 2012. 701-702. Print.
Oliver, Mary. “Poppies.” The Norton Anthology of English Literature.
Gen. ed. Stephen Greenblatt. 9th ed. Vol. E. New York: Norton, 2012. 701-702. Print.