Maria Suarez

Ms. Holt
English 1P; Per.6
9 June 2017

Journey
Oliver Goldsmith once said,Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads
and accommodations. In The Odyssey, Odysseus goes on a 20 year journey, and finds out that he would
need help from the gods to complete the journey. Also in the poem Journey, the speaker goes through
obstacles in life. Throughout their journeys, Odysseus changes by being less likely to fall for temptations,
and the speaker changes by becoming more determined to go through their obstacles through life.
In The Odyssey, Odysseus changes by being less likely to fall for temptations and also by
understanding that he cant complete the journey without the help of the gods or his men.Odysseus used
to be full of pride and only cared about himself, not about his men. One way Odysseus changed was not
falling for the temptations. The text explains,... though I have detained long by Calypso, loveliest among
goddesses, who held me in her smooth caves, to be her hearts delight, as Circe of Aaea, the enchantress
desired me, and detained me in her hall. But my heart I never gave consent. (Homer 372 18-23) This
describes that even though the two goddesses desired him, his heart never gave in for them. This
demonstrates that even when the beautiful goddesses desired his love, he didnt fall in being loyal to his
beloved wife. Furthermore, Odysseus also changed was that he understood that he cant complete the
journey without the help of the gods or his men. The text says,Athena appears and tells him that he is
indeed home. She disguises him as an old man, so that he can surprise the suitors, and then urges him to
visit his faithful swineherd, Eumaeus. (Homer 401) This line explains how with the help of Athena,
Odysseus was able to secretly go in his home to know what is going on with the suitors. This shows that
if he didnt have the help of Athena or any of the gods, it would be very difficult for Odysseus to
complete the quest. This change makes Odysseus a better person because he had respect for the gods and
also became more self aware.
In The Journey, the speaker changes by becoming more determined and having less daught on
themselves. The speaker used to be insured about herself. One way the speaker changed was overcoming
obstacles and being more determined to move on. The text states,But you didnt stop. You knew what
you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations-though their
melancholy was terrible. (Oliver 12-18) This quote shows how they went through the feeling of pensive
sadness, typically with no obvious cause, overcome obstacles. This line describes had made a firm
decision on moving on through the obstacles. In addition, another way the speaker changed was that they
have less doubt on themselves and be more confident. The text states,... and there was a new voice which
was slowly recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the
world.
(Oliver 27-32) The quote explains how the speaker focused on themself instead of the other voices. This
shows that they are more confident and have more faith in themselves. This change makes the speaker a
better person by focusing more on them and overcoming obstacles.
Odysseus from The Odyssey and the speaker from The Journey changed after the course of their
journeys by Odysseus knowing he cant complete the journey without the help of the gods and his men
and the speaker being more confident on themself. Nowadays, journeys are something people are willing
to take to get to know themselves and make them stronger because they had no choice but to keep going.
Life is a journey not a destination. You become mindful and appreciate each step. This lifestyle isnt
about arriving anywhere nor its about fixed goals, its about getting to know yourself more.