Messenger

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 2006

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Download PDF

Summary

Background

Poem Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Background

Authorial Context

The structure and the subject matter of this poem is remarkably like Oliver’s other works in that setting, scene, and place drive the structure, the form, and the overarching message of the poem. “Messenger” is from Mary Oliver’s book Thirst which was published in 2006. In 2005, Oliver’s life partner of over 40 years died. Although most of Oliver’s poems discuss nature and the interactions between humans and nature, through its motif of life and death, “Messenger” is especially revealing of this moment in Oliver’s life. In this poem, the speaker grapples with how to live life to its fullest while accepting the reality of impending mortality; the death of Oliver’s partner and her subsequent feelings are clearly reflected in this poem. Oliver not only contemplates death itself, but how she should live with grief. The existential subject matter and intimate point of view of this poem indicates that this is one of Oliver’s later works since, as earlier noted, it was not until her later writing that Oliver delved into more personal issues in her poetry.

Literary Context

Nineteenth century poetry is characterized by its elements of Romanticism layered with existential subject matter such as religion, life, and death. While Oliver is a contemporary poet, the 19th century poetry influence can be seen and felt through the simple images she utilizes to explore deeper subject matter. In 19th century poetry, existential subjects were mostly explored in a veiled manner, with simple nature descriptions used as a vehicle to weave the topics throughout the poem. Romantic poetry is very rooted in place and most often employed bucolic and dreamy descriptions of natural surroundings. Oliver’s poem, and much of her poetry, is reminiscent of Romanticism in its reliance on setting and place.

However, Oliver’s exploration of the heaviness of death and the human relationship to life and death with scenes of nature taking the forefront in this poem keeps with traditional 19th century poetry. The direct imagery of her surroundings, the importance of place, and the layering of human consciousness (in this case, her own) with nature’s beauty in the proverbial driver’s seat of the poem firmly places Oliver’s writing on par with that of traditional 19th century poets.