follow the instruction
Analysis of the Poem “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver
The poem “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver expresses what people should do so that they
can live good lives. It encourages readers not to worry but instead stay true to nature and its
beauty. The poem comprises one stanza of eighteen lines hence a simplistic structure. The
poem is also written in free verse and there is repeated use of assonance and consonance
within multiple lines of the verse. Lines one and two begin with the poet speaking directly to the
reader and thus they offer the first guide on how people should live. Oliver advises that there is
no need to try to be morally good or repent their sins through punishment and penance. In the
following lines three to five, the poet informs the reader on the value of turning to nature and
following their hearts. The poet argues that while people are human, they are also animals that
need to survive and thrive like other animals in nature. Lines six to nine begin a different
conversation with the reader since the poet seeks to commiserate with the readers on their most
unfortunate experiences. These lines are promoting larger connectivity between human beings
and nature. The rest of the lines continue to conjure scenes in nature and reassure readers of
the value of nature.
Throughout the poem, Oliver uses the image of a flock of wild geese to allude to the
animal nature of human beings. Since the poem largely focuses on nature, there are other
visual images such as deep trees, mountains, and rivers all of which emphasize the connectivity
between nature and happiness. The poet also makes use of several poetic techniques such as
repetition and alliteration. For instance, the first two lines of the poem repeat the word “you” to
create an intimate and urgent air about the poem. The phrase “you do not have to” is also used
to ensure that the reader is insistent. There is also the repetition of the word “meanwhile” at the
beginning of lines seven, eight, and twelve. The poet has also used alliteration, a pattern of
sound in which words appear close together and begin with the same letter. For instance, in
lines eleven and twelve and line thirteen, the poet has used the words “mountains” and
“meanwhile” and “heading home” respectively.
The movements and poetic devices that are evidenced in the poem work together to
celebrate nature’s grandeur and to remind readers that despite the stresses of life, they are part
of something larger and meaningful. The visual images seek to remind readers of the value of
treating their bodies like the vulnerable animals they are so that they can learn to love
themselves. The use of repetition and alliteration is to emphasize certain messages that the
poet sought to convey. Repetition also adds rhythm to the poem. The poetic devices also bring
out some of the most important themes that the poet wanted to relay such as the wonder of
nature, human vulnerability, and suffering.
Work Cited
Oliver, Mary. “Wild geese.”
Length of paper: 1500 words
Format: Modern Language Association
Your paper must incorporate at least three approved sources.
● At least one source must be peer-reviewed.
● One of your sources may be from our class discussions.
Your references must follow MLA format rules for in-text citation. You will also
need a
Works Cited page.
Visit the website below for reliable information on MLA format:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_a
nd_style_guide/mla_general_format.html
What is a first draft?
Let’s begin with what it’s not:
● It is not polished and perfect. That would be your final paper.
● It’s not a bunch of ideas written in a rush with no revision. That would be what’s
called a zero draft, which is the basis for what will become your first draft.
So what is it?
● It’s your best attempt to write out your ideas and to give them a bit of structure.
● It’s a work in progress that is open to expansion and significant revision.
And THEN
Pick your poem and analyze it according to the process we’ve been practicing
in class.
● Make note of imagery, diction, and patterns of sound (vowels, consonants).
● Look for metrical patterns, making note of stressed syllables in particular.
Look for long vowel sounds, consonants surrounding long vowel sounds, and
multisyllabic words.
● Pay attention to the appearance of the poem on the page, focusing on individual lines
as well as patterns that develop throughout the poem.
Next, write about larger movements or meanings of the poem.
● What particular patterns appear in the poem?
● How do the various elements and devices work to convey meaning?
Conclude with some ideas about the overall work the poem is doing.
● Use your focused analysis to develop these ideas.
This is your zero draft, which ideally you will PRINT OUT and SET ASIDE for at
least a couple of hours, preferably a whole day.
Reread your poem and then read the printed copy of your zero draft with pen
or pencil in hand.
● Write notes to yourself about ideas to develop more.
● Indicate places where you need more textual evidence to support your ideas.
● Monitor for similar or repeated ideas in different sections of the zero draft. Use
● numbers or some other system to indicate how these ideas can be combined.
● Jot down some ideas for concluding thoughts or a potential thesis.
(Be careful here. Don’t formulate a thesis too soon. If you do that, you run
the risk of writing an analysis that conforms to your idea of the poem
rather than what’s actually there on the page.)
important:write about the idea of repetition
500 words “mean while”
300 words at the final conclusion