crossing the swamp ap lit essay examples

Crossing the Swamp

By Mary Oliver

Amidst the swamp’s trials, bones knock for foothold, revealing resilience, transformation, and growth through struggle.

Mary Oliver

Nationality: American

She won the National Book Award in 1992; and the Pulitzer Prize in 1984.

Key Poem Information

Unlock more with Poetry +

Central Message: Embrace struggle, for within life's swamp-like challenges, transformation and growth emerge as resilient companions.

Themes: Death , Desire , Disappointment , Journey

Speaker: Unknown

Emotions Evoked: Bravery , Confidence , Empathy , Grief

Poetic Form: Free Verse

Time Period: 20th Century

Oliver's poem delves into the visceral journey through a metaphorical swamp, echoing life's challenges and personal evolution.

Poem Analyzed by Hilary Benard

M.A. in Comparative Literature & Critical Theories and B.A. Honors in Comparative History

‘Crossing the Swamp’ by Mary Oliver depicts a metaphorical journey through a treacherous landscape, symbolizing life’s challenges. The speaker faces physical and metaphorical obstacles, demonstrating resilience and determination. Vivid imagery portrays the swamp’s complexity and the struggle for stability.

As the speaker transforms from feeling wet to “painted and glittered,” the poem suggests a shift in perspective . This journey reflects the universal human experience of confronting adversity, finding growth, and renewal. Oliver’s use of enjambment and metaphors emphasizes the continuous nature of struggle and personal evolution. The poem invites contemplation on interconnectedness, the potential for transformation, and the beauty that can emerge from facing life’s difficulties.

Explore Crossing the Swamp

• 2 Structure and Form
• 4 Poetic Techniques and Figurative Language
• 5 Detailed Analysis
• 7 Similar Poetry

The poem ‘ Crossing the Swamp ‘ by Mary Oliver encapsulates the experience of traversing a challenging and treacherous environment, symbolized by a swamp.

The swamp, depicted as a wet and dense cosmos, represents the core of existence, characterized by its intricate and tangled nature. The speaker describes the swamp’s various elements, including thick sap, branching vines, and belching bogs, which collectively contribute to its formidable essence.

The swamp becomes a metaphor for life’s struggles and obstacles, emphasizing its lack of clear paths and the ceaseless effort required to navigate it. The speaker’s bones knock together as they seek stability in the midst of the swamp’s uncertain terrain. Every step becomes a battle for a foothold, fingerhold, and mind hold, as the speaker grapples with the slippery and challenging crossings, submerged holes, and hidden hummocks that threaten to engulf them.

Despite the challenges, the speaker acknowledges a transformation taking place. They describe feeling not just wet but adorned with the swamp’s features – painted and glittered with the essence of the environment. The vivid imagery of “fat grassy mires” and “rich and succulent marrows of earth” conveys a sense of interconnectedness with the swamp’s vitality.

The speaker’s personal growth and resilience are evident as they compare themselves to a “poor dry stick” that is given a renewed chance for life by the swamp water’s capriciousness. The imagery of a bough taking root, sprouting, branching out, and budding evokes a powerful sense of rejuvenation and potential, despite the passage of time.

In essence, ‘ Crossing the Swamp ‘ is a metaphorical exploration of life’s challenges and the transformative journey of overcoming adversity. The swamp serves as a symbol of the complexities and uncertainties inherent in existence, while the speaker’s experience within it reflects the indomitable human spirit’s capacity for growth, adaptation, and renewal.

Structure and Form

‘ Crossing the Swamp ‘by Mary Oliver is a single-stanza poem consisting of thirty-six lines, demonstrating a deliberate structural choice that mirrors the tangled and intricate nature of the swamp being depicted. The absence of stanza breaks underscores the continuous and unrelenting struggle conveyed in the poem, emphasizing the relentless journey through the challenging environment.

The poem’s form is characterized by its free verse structure, devoid of a traditional rhyming scheme . Instead, it relies on the rhythmic and syntactic patterns within the lines themselves to create a sense of movement and tension. The lines vary in length, ranging from a single word to a few words, contributing to the visual representation of the swamp’s uneven and unpredictable landscape.

Mary Oliver employs enjambment extensively throughout the poem, allowing thoughts and images to flow seamlessly from one line to the next. This technique mirrors the idea of navigating the swamp’s obstacles and uncertainties as each line propels the reader forward, mirroring the relentless progression through the challenging environment.

The lack of rhyme scheme and the use of enjambment contribute to the poem’s natural and conversational tone . This tone allows the reader to engage directly with the speaker’s experience, sharing in the visceral sensations of struggle, uncertainty, and transformation.

The single-stanza structure and free verse form also reinforce the thematic elements of unity and interconnectedness. By encapsulating the entire journey within a single unbroken stanza, the poem reflects the idea that the challenges faced are part of a cohesive and continuous whole, much like the ecosystem of the swamp itself.

‘ Crossing the Swamp ‘ adopts a single-stanza free verse structure with no specific rhyme scheme. This form, characterized by enjambment and varying line lengths, serves to mirror the complexities of the swamp and the unceasing struggle within it. The absence of stanza breaks and rhyme scheme contributes to a natural, conversational tone while reinforcing themes of unity and interconnectedness.

Mary Oliver’s poem ‘ Crossing the Swamp ‘ delves into several interconnected themes, each captured vividly through her evocative imagery and introspective exploration. One central theme is the struggle and adversity inherent in life’s journey, symbolized by the challenging swamp terrain. The speaker’s bones “knock together” as they seek a foothold and stability, exemplifying the relentless battle against obstacles.

Another theme is the transformation and resilience that arise from confronting challenges. The swamp’s “wet” and “glittered” essence paints a picture of the speaker’s metamorphosis, akin to a “poor dry stick” revived by swamp water’s whims. This theme underscores the capacity for growth amidst adversity.

The poem also delves into the theme of interconnectedness with nature. The vivid depiction of the swamp’s elements—such as “dense sap,” “branching vines,” and “marrows of earth”—links the speaker to the environment. This reinforces the idea that humans are an integral part of the natural world.

Uncertainty and transformation form another significant theme. The swamp, described as “pathless” and “seamless,” reflects life’s ambiguity . The speaker’s navigation through “slick crossings” and “deep hipoles” mirrors the process of adapting and evolving amid uncertainty.

Furthermore, the poem touches upon the theme of time and renewal. The enduring image of a “bough” that can still “branch out, bud” after years signifies the potential for rejuvenation even after prolonged challenges.

An underlying theme is perseverance and determination. The speaker’s continuous effort to find footholds amidst the swamp’s difficulties highlights the human spirit’s resolve in the face of adversity.

Lastly, the poem explores the theme of identity and self-discovery. The speaker’s transformation within the swamp reflects an inner journey, suggesting that facing external challenges can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself.

Through vivid imagery and introspection, Mary Oliver invites readers to contemplate the multifaceted nature of human existence and the profound insights gained from navigating life’s challenges.

Poetic Techniques and Figurative Language

Mary Oliver employs a range of poetic techniques and figurative language in ‘ Crossing the Swamp ‘ to vividly convey her message of struggle, transformation, and interconnectedness.

• Imagery : One such technique is imagery, evident in her description of the swamp as the “wet thick cosmos,” creating a sensory-rich portrayal of the challenging environment.
• Metaphor : This is used extensively, with the swamp symbolizing life’s trials and uncertainties. Lines like “pathless, seamless, peerless mud” metaphorically depict the challenges as an uncharted and relentless journey.
• Enjambment : It enhances the sense of movement and reflects the speaker’s ongoing struggle. The phrase “knock together at the pale joints” flows across lines, mirroring the physical impact of navigating the swamp.
• Anaphora : Oliver employs anaphora, repeating “here is” to emphasize the swamp’s omnipresence. This technique reinforces the notion of an all-encompassing struggle.
• Symbolism : This technique is evident in the image of the “poor dry stick” given “one more chance by the whims of swamp water,” which symbolizes resilience and renewal amid adversity.
• Contrast : The use of contrast between “wet” and “painted and glittered” highlights the speaker’s evolving relationship with the swamp, capturing both discomfort and transformation.
• Personification : The device is subtly employed when the swamp is described as “dark burred faintly belching bogs,” attributing human-like qualities to the landscape.
• Alliteration : Oliver employs alliteration, such as “slick crossings” and “deep hipoles,” to create a rhythmic quality that mimics the challenges of navigating the swamp.
• Metaphor : The extended metaphor of the “bough” that can “take root, sprout, branch out, bud” serves as a powerful symbol of personal growth and potential.
• Simile : This one appears in the line “not wet so much as painted and glittered,” comparing the speaker’s state to that of being adorned by the swamp’s elements.

Detailed Analysis

Here is the endless wet thick cosmos, the center of everything—the nugget of dense sap, branching vines, the dark burred faintly belching bogs. Here is swamp, here is struggle, closure— pathless, seamless, peerless mud. My bones

In the opening lines of Mary Oliver’s poem ‘ Crossing the Swamp ,’ the poet presents readers with a vivid and immersive depiction of the natural environment. Through carefully crafted imagery and metaphors, Oliver conveys a profound message about the interconnectedness of life and the inherent challenges that accompany it.

The phrase “endless wet thick cosmos” sets the tone for the poem, immediately enveloping the reader in the vastness and complexity of the swamp. The use of “cosmos” here suggests that the swamp is not just a physical location, but a microcosm representing the larger universe. This notion aligns with the theme of interconnectedness, suggesting that the swamp is an essential part of the grand scheme of existence.

Oliver continues to paint a detailed picture of the swamp, employing strong sensory imagery. Words like “nugget,” “dense sap,” and “branching vines” evoke a sense of abundance and fertility, emphasizing the swamp’s role as a source of life and growth. The image of “dark burred faintly belching bogs” adds a touch of foreboding and mystery, hinting at the hidden depths and complexities of the environment.

The declaration “Here is swamp, here is struggle” provides a direct and powerful connection between the physical landscape and the metaphorical struggle of life. By equating the swamp with struggle, Oliver highlights the universality of the challenges that individuals face. This linkage reinforces the theme of interconnectedness, suggesting that struggles are inherent in the fabric of existence.

The phrase “pathless, seamless, peerless mud” employs alliteration to emphasize the difficulty and ambiguity of the journey. The swamp’s mud becomes a symbol of the obstacles and uncertainties that individuals encounter, with “pathless” and “seamless” underlining the lack of clear direction and the continuous nature of struggles.

Through these opening lines, Mary Oliver conveys a message that transcends the physical landscape of the swamp. She invites readers to contemplate the interconnectedness of all living beings, the challenges that unite humanity, and the transformative power of embracing those struggles. The imagery and metaphors used in these lines serve as a gateway to a deeper exploration of life’s complexities, hinting at the poem’s overarching themes of resilience, personal growth, and the delicate balance between humans and nature.

Lines 14-26

knock together at the pale     (…)  mires, the rich  

In lines 14-26 of Mary Oliver’s poem ‘ Crossing the Swamp ,’ the poet delves deeper into the theme of struggle and the transformative journey of overcoming adversity. Through her skillful use of imagery, figurative language, and sensory details, Oliver conveys a message about the resilience of the human spirit and the profound changes that occur when facing life’s challenges.

The phrase “knock together at the pale joints” employs tactile and auditory imagery, evoking the physical impact of the speaker’s movement through the swamp. The use of “pale joints” emphasizes the vulnerability of the human body, underscoring the harshness of the environment and the strain of the struggle.

The verbs “trying” and “knock” emphasize the continuous and determined effort required to navigate the treacherous terrain. The repetition of “hold” in “foothold, fingerhold, mindhold” highlights the various ways the speaker attempts to secure stability, not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well.

Oliver’s use of enjambment, such as “over / such slick crossings, deep,” propels the reader forward, mirroring the speaker’s unrelenting journey through the swamp’s obstacles. This technique effectively conveys the ceaseless nature of the struggle.

The imagery of “slick crossings, deep hipoles, hummocks” vividly portrays the hazardous nature of the swamp, where even the ground itself can be treacherous. The word “sink silently” emphasizes the stealthy and unpredictable nature of these hazards.

The phrase “black, slack earthsoup” creates a visceral image of the swamp’s murky and viscous composition. This imagery not only appeals to the senses but also conveys a sense of entrapment and challenge.

The shift from “wet so much as / painted and glittered” marks a pivotal moment in the poem. The transformation from merely being wet to being “painted and glittered” suggests a shift in perspective. The speaker begins to see their experience not just as discomfort but as an opportunity for growth and change.

The sensory description of being “painted and glittered / with the fat grassy mires, the rich” paints a vivid picture of the speaker’s transformation. The words “fat” and “rich” imply nourishment and vitality, symbolizing the personal growth that arises from confronting challenges.

In these lines, Mary Oliver’s message revolves around the idea that struggle and adversity lead to profound transformation. Through vivid imagery and sensory details, the poem illustrates the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for personal growth when faced with daunting obstacles. The shift from physical discomfort to a sense of being “painted and glittered” underscores the transformative power of embracing challenges and finding beauty in the midst of adversity.

Lines 27-36

and succulent marrows       (…)  palace of leaves.

In the final lines (27-36) of Mary Oliver’s poem ‘ Crossing the Swamp ,’ the poet culminates her exploration of struggle, resilience, and transformation with a message of profound hope and potential for personal growth. Through the use of metaphor, symbolism, and vivid imagery, Oliver conveys the idea that even in the face of adversity, there is an opportunity for renewal and the creation of a vibrant and meaningful existence.

The phrase “succulent marrows / of earth” employs tactile and sensory imagery to describe the fertile and nourishing qualities of the environment. The choice of “succulent” suggests richness and vitality, contrasting with the harshness of the swamp.

The metaphor of the “poor dry stick” given “one more chance by the whims / of swamp water” is a powerful symbol of resilience and renewal. The “dry stick” represents a life that may seem devoid of potential, but the transformative power of the swamp water’s “whims” implies unexpected opportunities for growth.

The image of the “bough” that can “take root, / sprout, branch out, bud” serves as an extended metaphor for personal development. This imagery is particularly potent as it suggests not only physical growth but also the expansion of one’s capabilities and potential.

The phrase “make of its life a breathing / palace of leaves” captures the essence of the poem’s message. The transformation of the once-dry stick into a “palace of leaves” emphasizes the idea of thriving, flourishing, and embracing life to its fullest extent.

Oliver’s use of the word “breathing” adds a dynamic dimension to the image, suggesting vitality and the interplay between the individual and the environment. The idea of the leaves forming a “palace” implies a sense of abundance, beauty, and the creation of something magnificent from humble beginnings.

The repetition of the “b” sound in “bough,” “branch,” and “bud” creates a rhythmic quality, underscoring the gradual progression of growth and transformation. This rhythmic repetition mirrors the gradual process of personal development.

In these final lines, Mary Oliver’s message resonates with the notion that individuals possess an innate capacity for renewal and transformation, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. Through the metaphor of the “poor dry stick” and the imagery of the thriving “palace of leaves,” Oliver inspires readers to embrace life’s difficulties as opportunities for growth, to root themselves in resilience, to branch out into new possibilities, and to bud into a life that is vibrant, meaningful, and full of potential.

The tone in ‘ Crossing the Swamp’ is one of determined resilience and introspection as the speaker navigates through challenges while reflecting on their own transformation and growth.

The poem is titled ‘Crossing the Swamp’ to metaphorically depict the speaker ’s journey through life’s hardships and uncertainties, using the swamp as a symbol for the trials and transformations encountered along the way.

The poem triggers feelings of struggle, perseverance, and, ultimately, a sense of hopeful renewal as the speaker faces adversity and discovers the potential for personal growth.

The mood oscillates between tension and introspection, ultimately leading to a mood of hopeful triumph as the speaker ’s resilience and transformative journey are highlighted through vivid imagery and contemplative exploration.

Similar Poetry

Those who enjoyed this poem by Mary Oliver may also wish to explore the following others:

• ‘Amethyst Beads’ by Eavan Boland – alludes to Greek mythology and the suffering of a child, Persephone, after she was separated from her mother, Demeter.
• ‘Air Raid’ by Chinua Achebe – is a poem that provides a glimpse into the Nigerian/Biafran Civil War using symbolism and dark humor .
• ‘A Nation’s Strength’ by William Ralph Emerson – asks readers to consider what it is that makes a country great and why countries fail.

Poetry + Review Corner

20th century, disappointment, breaking up.

Home » Mary Oliver » Crossing the Swamp

About Hilary Benard

Join the poetry chatter and comment.

Exclusive to Poetry + Members

Join Conversations

Share your thoughts and be part of engaging discussions.

Expert Replies

Get personalized insights from our Qualified Poetry Experts.

Connect with Poetry Lovers

Build connections with like-minded individuals.

Access the Complete PDF Guide of this Poem

Poetry+ PDF Guides are designed to be the ultimate PDF Guides for poetry. The PDF Guide consists of a front cover, table of contents, with the full analysis, including the Poetry+ Review Corner and numerically referenced literary terms, plus much more.

Get the PDF Guide

Experts in Poetry

Our work is created by a team of talented poetry experts, to provide an in-depth look into poetry, like no other.

Cite This Page

Benard, Hilary. "Crossing the Swamp by Mary Oliver". Poem Analysis , https://poemanalysis.com/mary-oliver/crossing-the-swamp/ . Accessed 11 August 2024.

Help Center

Request an Analysis

(not a member? Join now)

Poem PDF Guides

PDF Learning Library

Beyond the Verse Podcast

Poetry Archives

Poetry Explained

Poet Biographies

Useful Links

Poem Explorer

Poem Generator

[email protected]

Poem Solutions Limited, International House, 36-38 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3NG, United Kingdom

Get this Poem Analysis as an Offline Resource

Poetry+ PDF Guides are designed to be the ultimate PDF Guides for poetry. The PDF Guide contains everything to understand poetry.

Discover and learn about the greatest poetry, straight to your inbox

Unlock the Secrets to Poetry

Download Poetry PDFs Guides

Complete Poetry PDF Guide

Perfect Offline Resource

Covers Everything Need to Know

One-pager 'snapshot' PDF

Offline Resource

Gateway to deeper understanding

AP English Literature and Composition Exam Questions

Free-response questions and scoring information.

Download free-response questions from this year's exam and past exams along with scoring guidelines, sample responses from exam takers, and scoring distributions.

If you are using assistive technology and need help accessing these PDFs in another format, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 212-713-8333 or by email at [email protected] .

2024: Free-Response Questions

2023: Free-Response Questions

2022: Free-Response Questions

2021 Free-Response Questions

2020 Free-Response Questions

Note:  The table below features a selection of free-response questions and related scoring information from the 2020 exam. You can find all of the 2020 FRQs and corresponding scoring information in  AP Classroom question bank .

2019 Free-Response Questions

2018 Free-Response Questions

2017 Free-Response Questions

2016 Free-Response Questions

2015 Free-Response Questions

2014 Free-Response Questions

2013 Free-Response Questions

2012 Free-Response Questions

2011 Free-Response Questions

2011 Form B

2010: Free-Response Questions

2010: Form B

2009: Free-Response Questions

2009: Form B

2008 Free-Response Questions

2008: Form B

2007: Free-Response Questions

2007: Form B

2006: Free-Response Questions

2006: Form B

2005: Free-Response Questions

2005: Form B

2004: Free-Response Questions

2004: Form B

2003: Free-Response Questions

2003: Form B

2002: Free-Response Questions

2002: Form B

2001: Free-Response Questions

2000: Free-Response Questions

1999: Free-Response Questions

Reed Conforti's AP Lit Comp Blog

Saturday, april 27, 2013, 2004b poem “crossing the swamp” (mary oliver), 7 comments:.

Mary Oliver cannot "relate to his life struggles" OR deal "with some harsh times in his own life" because she is a WOMAN. -Get it together bro two years later and people still see shit like this

both of u shut up

you shut up

boy if you don't stfu right now

Shows a lack of attention to detail to assign the wrong pronoun in the explication. Spot on French Turtle.

Learning Materials

• Business Studies
• Combined Science
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• English Literature
• Environmental Science
• Human Geography
• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Crossing the Swamp

Have you ever gone through something difficult that made you stronger? Often, facing fears and weakness is the route to reigning victorious over them. In the poem 'Crossing the Swamp,' Mary Oliver illustrates a treacherous journey through an eerie, encompassing swamp to reflect how triumph can come out of facing struggles and hardships. 

Create learning materials about Crossing the Swamp with our free learning app!

• Instand access to millions of learning materials
• Flashcards, notes, mock-exams and more
• Everything you need to ace your exams

Millions of flashcards designed to help you ace your studies

• Cell Biology

Who is the author of the poem, ‘Crossing the Swamp’?

‘Crossing the Swamp’ is written in free verse. What is free verse?

Name at least two themes in ‘Crossing the Swamp’?

What is the meaning of the poem?

What is the term “palace of leaves” a metaphor for?

Which of the following words is not  used to describe the swamp at the beginning of the poem?

In the poem ‘Crossing the Swamp,’ the speaker is trying to escape the swamp. What else is she trying to escape?

How would you describe the atmosphere created by the description of the swamp in the beginning of the poem?

The tone of the poem shifts from fearful and anxious to which of the following?

Which sound related literary devices are used throughout the poem?

What does the speaker metaphorically compare herself to at the end of the poem?

• American Drama
• American Literary Movements
• American Literature
• American Poetry
• 77 Dream Songs
• A Barred Owl
• A Red Red Rose
• Adrienne Rich
• Alexander Pope
• Allen Ginsberg
• An American Sunrise
• And death shall have no dominion
• Andrew Marvell
• Anne Bradstreet
• As I Walked Out One Evening
• As Kingfishers Catch Fire
• Balder Dead
• Bells for John Whiteside's Daughter
• Beowulf Poetry
• Binsey Poplars
• Briefings Collection
• Carl Sandburg
• Carolyn Forche
• Chicago Poem
• Concord Hymn
• Concord Hymn by Jack Spicer
• Crossing the Bar
• Danse Russe
• Derek Walcott
• Diving into the Wreck
• Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
• Dover Beach
• Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes
• Dylan Thomas
• E. E. Cummings
• Easter 1916 Poem
• Edgar Allan Poe
• Edmund Spenser
• Edward Kamau Brathwaite
• Elegy For A Jet Pilot
• Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard
• Elegy for Jane
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning Biography
• Elizabeth Bishop
• Emancipation from British Dependence Poem
• Epitaph on the World
• European Poetry
• Five Flights Up
• For Jane Meyers
• For That He Looked Not Upon Her
• For the Union Dead
• Frank O'Hara
• Garrett Hongo
• Gary Snyder
• George Gascoigne
• George Oppen
• Gerard Manley Hopkins
• Gertrude Stein(1874-1946)
• Gwendolyn Bennett
• Gwendolyn Brooks
• Helen In Egypt
• Henry David Thoreau
• Here Philip Larkin
• Hilda Doolittle
• How We Became Human
• I Carry Your Heart with Me
• I, Too Langston Hughes
• Idylls of the Kings
• If I Could Tell You
• If you forget me Pablo Neruda
• In the Waiting Room
• Jack Spicer
• James Schuyler
• John Ashbery
• John Berryman
• John Crowe Ransom
• Landscape with the Fall of Icarus
• Law Like Love
• Leaves of Grass
• Leslie Marmon Silko
• Let America be America again
• Li-Young Lee
• Life Studies
• Lorine Niedecker
• Louise Glück

Mary Oliver

• Matthew Arnold
• May Swenson
• Meaningful Love
• Midsummer, Tobago
• Mountains and Rivers Without End
• Musee des Beaux Arts (1939)
• My Papa's Waltz
• My People Langston Hughes
• Ode to the Confederate Dead
• Of Being Numerous
• Ogun by Kamau Brathwaite
• On Being Brought from Africa to America
• On Her Loving Two Equally
• On My First Sonne
• On The Banks Of Ohio
• On the Bus with Rosa Parks
• One Hundred Love Sonnets XVII
• Pablo Neruda
• Paterson by William Carlos Willaims
• Phenomenal Woman
• Philip Freneau
• Phillis Wheatley
• Picture Bride
• Pied Beauty
• Poems on Various Subjects Religious and Moral
• Poetry of Departures
• Rebecca Hammond Lard
• Richard Eberhart
• Richard Wilbur
• Rights of Passage
• Robert Browning
• Robert Hayden
• Robert Lowell
• Sailing to Byzantium
• Seamus Heaney Digging
• Seasons of the Soul
• Sic Vita Thoreau
• Sir Philip Sidney
• Some Trees Poem
• Songs of Innocence
• Spring and All
• Storm Warnings
• Storyteller
• Sunday Morning
• Sylvia Plath
• The Author to Her Book
• The Bean Eaters
• The Black Walnut Tree
• The British Prison Ship
• The Buried Lake
• The Centaur
• The Colonel
• The Convergence Of The Twain
• The Day Lady Died
• The Death of a Toad
• The Definition of Love
• The Empty Glass
• The Faerie Queene
• The Groundhog
• The Hollow Men
• The Indian Burying Ground
• The Juggler
• The Kaddish
• The Lake Isle of Innisfree
• The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock
• The Man He Killed
• The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
• The Odyssey
• The People, Yes
• The Rape of the Lock
• The Raven Edgar Allan Poe
• The Red Wheelbarrow
• The Second Coming
• The Shield of Achilles
• The Unknown Citizen
• The Weary Blues
• The Wild Honey Suckle
• The Wild Iris
• The Windhover
• Theodore Roethke
• Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird
• Those Winter Sundays
• Thou Blind Man's Mark
• To Brooklyn Bridge
• To His Coy Mistress
• To My Dear and Loving Husband
• To Penshurst
• To a Dark Girl
• Wallace Stevens
• Walt Whitman
• We Real Cool
• When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd
• William Butler Yeats
• William Carlos Williams
• Yellow Light
• [Buffalo Bill 's] by E. E. Cummings
• American Regionalism Literature
• American Short Fiction
• Literary Criticism and Theory
• Literary Devices
• Literary Elements
• Literary Movements
• Literary Studies
• Non-Fiction Authors

The swamp represents a place of fear and creates a foreboding atmosphere.

‘Crossing the Swamp’ by Mary Oliver: Background Information and Meaning

'Crossing the Swamp' (1983) is a nature poem written by the American Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, Mary Oliver. 'Crossing the Swamp' was originally published in American Primitive (1983), a collection of Oliver's poems about nature, love, and the American wilderness. Mary Oliver was greatly influenced by long walks through the varied landscapes of the United States. She had a troubled childhood and turned to nature and poetry for consolation.

In the poem 'Crossing the Swamp,' Oliver describes a physical swamp that reflects the speaker's personal troubles and mental state. This physical and mental swamp is difficult to navigate but the speaker emerges victoriously after falling into the water. The meaning of 'Crossing the Swamp' is that growth and triumph come out of facing struggles and hardships. Although the poem creates an initially unpleasant atmosphere, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and the poem ultimately presents a message of hope.

At the end of the poem, the speaker is joyous and renewed with life as she has gained victory over her fears.

‘Crossing the Swamp’: Full Poem

While reading the poem, think about how Mary Oliver uses particular word choices to emphasize how the speaker feels about the swamp.

‘Crossing the Swamp’: Summary and Analysis

Mary Oliver opens the poem by describing an "endless," 1 "dense," 1 and "dark" 1 place filled with sap and reaching vines (Lines 1, 5, and 6 ). Oliver clarifies that this place is a swamp—a place of "struggle" 1 and "closure" 1 (Lines 10). Mary Oliver creates the feelings of becoming enclosed in a crowded, dark, foreboding place to suggest the speaker's consuming fears and anxieties. The swamp represents both a physical place that is eerie and unsettling, and also the speaker's mental fog . The speaker in the poem is trying to escape the swamp as she is trying to escape her dark, crowded, anxious mind.

The speaker trudges through the swamp, trying to grab hold of her surroundings and avoid sinking into the mud. The speaker says she is "trying for foothold, fingerhold, / mindhold over / such slick crossings." 1 This emphasizes how her journey is both a physical and mental feat (Lines 16 ‐17 ).

The speaker keeps slipping and eventually falls into swampy waters, but rather than completely sinking or panicking, she feels renewed by the water. She emerges from her struggles feeling like nature has given her a second chance. She can finally take hold of her life in both mind and body. She compares herself to a tree dry branch that has been given water and unexpectedly grows roots .

‘Crossing the Swamp’: Analysis of Form

'Crossing the Swamp' is a 36 ‐line nature poem written in free verse . Mary Oliver uses free verse to reflect the wild, natural, and untamed swamp described in the poem.

Free verse is an open form of poetry that does not adhere to a particular rhyme scheme or meter.

The poem is written in jagged short lines that are offset to create a wavy, hazy-shaped block of text. Mary Oliver uses the shape of the text to suggest the swamp's eerie, hazy atmosphere, as well as the speaker's lack of mental clarity. The way the poetry is visually presented reflects the seemingly unending, impenetrable force of the swamp.

Although 'Crossing the Swamp' does not have a consistent meter, the reading of the poem is guided by the repetition of certain sounds. Read the poem aloud. Can you identify any sound-related literary devices Oliver uses in the poem?

‘Crossing the Swamp’: Analysis of Literary and Poetic Devices

Crossing the swamp uses an abundance of literary and poetic devices, which is why it is a commonly chosen poem to study for exams or essay writing.

Word Choice/Connotation and Atmosphere

In 'Crossing the Swamp,' Mary Oliver uses intentional word choice to guide the reader's understanding of the swamp and the speaker's feelings.

Oliver emphasizes that the swamp is an expansive, encompassing, seemingly unending place, by using words such as "endless," 1 "cosmos," 1 "branching," 1 "pathless," 1 and "seamless" 1 (Lines 1, 3, 5, and 12). Using these words helps the reader understand the speaker's feelings of lostness and confusion.

Mary Oliver also chooses words that evoke the speaker's sense of fear and anxiety, such as "dense," 1 "dark," 1 "burred," 1 "struggle," 1 "pale joints," 1 and "black" 1 (Lines 5, 6, 10, 14 and 15). The speaker writes that "My bones knock together at the pale joints" to suggest that the speaker feels scared and weak, struggling and trembling in fear (Lines 13 ‐15) .

Mary Oliver's word choice in 'Crossing the Swamp' helps create a dark, hazy, and foreboding atmosphere . The atmosphere of the swamp also reflects the speaker's clouded mental state.

In the first half of the poem, Oliver also occasionally uses words that have a positive connotation to describe the swamp . These words help foreshadow the ending of the poem, in which the swamp is not menacing but nurturing. Can you identify a few of these words?

Tone and Imagery

The tone of the poem shifts alongside the imagery of the swamp. Initially, the swamp is depicted as "the nugget / of dense sap, branching / vines, the dark burred / faintly belching bogs." 1 Mary Oliver uses this imagery to make the reader picture the dark, dense swamp with prickly plants and a foul smell. This imagery evokes fear and unease. The initial tone of the poem is fearful and anxious, as the speaker feels trapped by her unpleasant, swampy surroundings.

The tone shifts towards the end of the poem as the speaker says, "I feel / not wet so much as / painted and glittered / with the fat grassy / mires, the rich / and succulent marrows / of earth" 1 (Lines 22 ‐28). Now, Mary Oliver uses imagery to depict how the speaker feels nourished and renewed by what she previously feared. The swamp is now seen as a shining place filled with life and nutrients for plants, as well as the human soul. The tone of the poem is now joyful and triumphant. Nature has not defeated the speaker, but renews her in a life free from hopelessness and fear.

Notice how to tone shifts alongside the speaker's feelings about nature and her surroundings. Initially, she fears the swamp, but ultimately, she sees how nature can nourish and renew her.

Enjambment, Alliteration, and Sibilance

Mary Oliver uses enjambment , alliteration , and sibilance throughout the poem to suggest the seemingly endless expanse of nature.

" trying for f oothold, f ingerhold, mindhold over s uch s lick crossings, deep h iphole s , h ummock s that s ink s ilently into the black, s lack earth s oup." 1

(Lines 15 ‐22)

As one line continues into the next with the use of enjambment , the speaker's experience is presented in a blur of vivid imagery. The short lines of the poem represent the speaker's fragmented experience, which is emphasized by the breaking up of lines of a single sentence. The image Oliver paints is a singular experience of struggling to cross the swamp, but it is presented in many small fragmented lines tied together with enjambment.

Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence from one line of poetry into the next without any pause or punctuation.

The alliteration of the "F," "S," and "H" sounds in the example above establish a rhythm by guiding stresses to fall heavily upon the first syllables of the alliterated words. The pairs of alliterated words establish two beats in each line, mimicking the trudging of the speaker.

The sibilance creates a continuous hissing and whispering sound when the poem is read aloud. This use of sibilance emphasizes the sinister and secretive nature of the swamp, as it "silently" 1 sucks the speaker back into its muddy waters.

Sibilance is the repetition of "S" sounds in a section of text to create a hissing effect.

Can you spot an example of internal rhyme used in the example above? What effect do you think it has on the reading of the poem? (*note: internal rhyme is rhyme used within a single line of poetry)

Personification and Metaphors

Mary Oliver uses personification throughout the poem to present nature as a living, "breathing," 1 force.

" a poor dry stick given one more chance by the whims of swamp water— a bough that still, after all these years, could take root, sprout, branch out, bud— make of its life a breathing palace of leaves." 1

(Lines 28 ‐36)

Initially, the use of personification is used to portray the swamp as a living force that is trying to entrap and sink the speaker. However, by the end of the poem, personification is used to portray the speaker's positive feelings of growth and freedom.

The speaker compares herself to a branch that could "make of its life a breathing / palace of leaves." 1 This comparison of herself to a dry tree branch that was still able to root after being renewed by the water is a metaphor . This metaphor suggests that the speaker felt lifeless and incapable of growth, until she fell and faced her fears to find that nature was not trying to entrap her, but to nourish her. The "palace of leaves" 1 is a metaphor for the grand tree the speaker has blossomed into upon this realization. All along, the swamp, which represents the speaker's fears, was not out to destroy her, but to help her to grow.

The poem uses the metaphor of a tree to represent the beauty of unexpected growth.

‘Crossing the Swamp’: Themes

'Crossing the Swamp' explores many themes, including personal struggle, triumph, growth, the duality of nature, and perspective.

Personal struggle, triumph, and growth

'Crossing the Swamp' is a poetic tale of triumph over personal struggles, which leads to personal growth. In the poem, the speaker is initially filled with fear and anxieties. She views the world as a swamp that is full of fear and is closing in on her. However, when she finally falls into the water, she feels renewed and realizes that by facing her fears she can have victory over them. She realizes that the water is there to revitalize her and help her grow, which represents how challenges and struggles facilitate human growth.

The duality of nature, and perspective

In the poem 'Crossing the Swamp,' Mary Oliver presents the same swamp in opposite terms. Initially, the swamp is eerie and frightening, but towards the end of the poem, it is depicted as a rich source of life and energy. Mary Oliver uses the duality of nature to suggest its power and versatility, but also to introduce the theme of perspective. When the speaker is describing the swamp out of a place of fear, she sees it as trying to entrap and consume her. However, when the speaker is no longer afraid, she has a fresh, positive perspective. She sees the swamp's beauty in its ability to renew and give life to its surroundings.

Crossing the Swamp - Key takeaways

• 'Crossing the Swamp' (1983) is a nature poem written in free verse by Mary Oliver.
• 'Crossing the Swamp,' illustrates a treacherous journey through an eerie, encompassing swamp that leads to personal freedom.
• The poem's meaning is that g rowth and triumph come out of facing struggles and hardships.
• The poem uses many literary devices such as word choice/ connotation, atmosphere, tone, imagery, enjambment, alliteration, sibilance, personification, and metaphors.
• The poem's key themes are personal struggle, triumph, and growth, the duality of nature, and perspective.

1 Mary Oliver, 'Crossing the Swamp,' American Primitive , 1983.

Flashcards in Crossing the Swamp 12

A form of poetry that does follow a specific meter or rhyme scheme

Personal struggle, triumph, growth, the duality of nature, and perspective

Growth and triumph come out of facing struggles and hardships

Learn with 12 Crossing the Swamp flashcards in the free Vaia app

We have 14,000 flashcards about Dynamic Landscapes.

Already have an account? Log in

Frequently Asked Questions about Crossing the Swamp

What is the poem 'Crossing the Swamp' by Mary Oliver about?

The poem 'Crossing the Swamp' by Mary Oliver is about a treacherous journey through an eerie, encompassing swamp that leads to personal freedom. 

What is the relationship between the speaker and the swamp?

The relationship between the speaker and the swamp is that the swamp represents the speaker's personal fears and struggles. 

Who is the speaker in the poem 'Crossing the Swamp?

The speaker in the poem 'Crossing the Swamp' is someone facing difficulties and fears in their life.

What is the tone of 'Crossing the Swamp'?

The tone of 'Crossing the Swamp' is initially fearful and anxious but later shifts to joyous and triumphant, as the speaker gains victory over her fears. 

What poetic techniques are used in crossing the swamp?

Poetic techniques used in 'Crossing the Swamp' include: word choice/ connotation, atmosphere, tone, imagery, enjambment, alliteration, sibilance, personification, and metaphors.

Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

Which of the following words is not used to describe the swamp at the beginning of the poem?

Join the Vaia App and learn efficiently with millions of flashcards and more!

Keep learning, you are doing great.

Discover learning materials with the free Vaia app

Vaia is a globally recognized educational technology company, offering a holistic learning platform designed for students of all ages and educational levels. Our platform provides learning support for a wide range of subjects, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Languages and also helps students to successfully master various tests and exams worldwide, such as GCSE, A Level, SAT, ACT, Abitur, and more. We offer an extensive library of learning materials, including interactive flashcards, comprehensive textbook solutions, and detailed explanations. The cutting-edge technology and tools we provide help students create their own learning materials. StudySmarter’s content is not only expert-verified but also regularly updated to ensure accuracy and relevance.

Vaia Editorial Team

Team English Literature Teachers

• 13 minutes reading time
• Checked by Vaia Editorial Team

Study anywhere. Anytime.Across all devices.

Create a free account to save this explanation..

Save explanations to your personalised space and access them anytime, anywhere!

By signing up, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy of Vaia.

Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.

Join over 22 million students in learning with our Vaia App

The first learning app that truly has everything you need to ace your exams in one place

• Flashcards & Quizzes
• AI Study Assistant
• Study Planner
• Smart Note-Taking

Privacy Overview

Get unlimited access with a free vaia account..

• Instant access to millions of learning materials.
• Flashcards, notes, mock-exams, AI tools and more.
• Everything you need to ace your exams.

• 1st Qtr Glance
• 2nd Qtr Glance
• 3rd Qtr Glance
• 4th Qtr Glance
• 1st Qtr Silent Reading
• 2nd Qtr: 3D Lit. Project
• 3rd Qtr: Poetry Project
• 4th Qtr: Short Story
• Class Updates

Swamp Essay Comments

“Crossing the Swamp” Essay Comments

Task:  Analyze techniques the poet uses to develop the relationship between the speaker and the swamp.

Some possibilities:

Extended metaphor:   the swamp is a metaphor, described as “struggle, closure,” “the center of everything.”   The speaker struggles trying to grasp it in its entirety:  bones knocking, trying “for foothold, fingerhold, mindhold [italics added],” the last of this list qualifying that this journey extends beyond the physical, it is a trial of mental conception, of putting one’s mind around a complicated problem.

Important also to note that the relationship between the speaker and swamp seems at first one of fear, yet it is further qualified through the speaker’s immersion in it as not a negative thing, i.e. “I feel not wet so much as painted and glittered….”

The speaker feels a sense of rebirth coming from meeting this challenge—“a poor dry stick given one more chance by the whims of swamp water… [to] make of its life a breathing palace of leaves.”

By completely immersing oneself in what was once feared (represented by the mud, metaphorically), the speaker feels “not wet”—presumably wet is the negative outcome the speaker fearfully predicted—“so much as painted and glittered”—a far more positively connotative way to describe the experience.  In summary, only by getting dirty, so to speak, can the “dry stick” of the poem [the speaker] become something teeming with life.

Through extended metaphor, the poet shows how facing something very difficult—some all encompassing problem—can lead to a triumphant, even exultant outcome, a chance for renewal which defies the enervating effects of time, and the negative, self-fulfilling prophecies of fear and stagnation.

Consonance:  the presence of consonance in such lists as “foot hold , finger hold , mind hold ” highlight these words as important and equal—the swamp is every bit as significant a mental obstacle as it is a physical one.

Enjambment/structure:  the arrangement of words on the page, aside from creating a physical, zigzagging shape suggestive of all the complex, intricacies of this problem facing the speaker, also incorporate frequent use of enjambment to emphasize key phrases throughout the poem.   The   enormity of this metaphorical dilemma is highlighted by placing “cosmos, the center” on its own line, as with other standout phrases like “is struggle,” “closure—,” again highlighting that this is in fact a metaphor, one that stands for an enormous dilemma on the part of the speaker.  The final image of the poem, that is, the speaker’s ultimate transformation by facing this colossal and chimerical conundrum is highlighted by giving the end result its own line as a “palace of leaves.”

Alliteration:  the poet often employs alliteration in the service of imagery.  The repetition of the “b” sound in “dark burred faintly belching bogs,” and the sibilance found in “ swamp … struggle, closure—pathless, seamless, peerless” are onomatopoeically suggestive of the bubbling and hissing of a swamp, particularly emphasizing how noisome, foreign, and frightening such a place can be.  This adds to the impression of the fear the speaker must surmount in light of such seemingly insuperable obstacles, and, by escaping “such slick crossings… that sink silently into the black, slack earthsoup” (note again the repeated “s” sound, this time reminiscent of the sucking sound of mud), this enables the speaker to grow from such an experience, to triumph from his previously victimized state—“a poor dry stick”—and become something far greater, “a breathing palace of leaves.”

Share this:

About ahorowitz1

Leave a comment cancel reply, search updates, recent updates.

• Beloved p. 118-173 ?’s
• Important update, including homework for first day of 4th quarter.
• Beloved p. 60-118 ?’s
• Schedule for last 3 weeks of 3rd quarter
• Beloved p. 3-59 ?’s
• How to Read Beloved & Toni Morrison background notes
• Vocabulary 9 List
• Chp. 6 2nd Half Web ?’s
• Chp. 6 1st half web questions
• Chp. 5 2nd Half Web Questions (6 poems)
• Care Cycle 4, due 2/21/20.
• Notes on Music in Poetry
• Chp. 5 1st Half Poetry Web ?’s (6 poems)
• Chp. 4 2nd Half Poetry Web ?’s (6 poems)
• Poetry Notes (part 2) Figurative Language

Email Subscription

Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new class updates by email.

Email Address:

Sign me up!

• March 2020  (4)
• February 2020  (13)
• January 2020  (13)
• December 2019  (6)
• November 2019  (17)
• October 2019  (11)
• September 2019  (8)
• August 2019  (11)
• May 2019  (14)
• April 2019  (21)
• March 2019  (6)
• February 2019  (2)
• January 2019  (2)
• December 2018  (2)
• November 2018  (2)
• October 2018  (5)
• September 2018  (4)
• August 2018  (3)
• May 2018  (4)
• April 2018  (8)
• March 2018  (4)
• February 2018  (8)
• January 2018  (6)
• December 2017  (2)
• November 2017  (1)
• October 2017  (2)
• September 2017  (6)
• August 2017  (2)
• May 2017  (2)
• April 2017  (3)
• March 2017  (4)
• February 2017  (3)
• January 2017  (2)
• December 2016  (1)
• November 2016  (4)
• October 2016  (1)
• September 2016  (4)
• August 2016  (1)
• June 2016  (1)
• May 2016  (3)
• April 2016  (10)
• March 2016  (5)
• February 2016  (1)
• January 2016  (8)
• December 2015  (1)
• November 2015  (4)
• October 2015  (4)
• September 2015  (3)
• August 2015  (1)
• June 2015  (1)
• May 2015  (1)
• April 2015  (8)
• March 2015  (4)
• February 2015  (4)
• January 2015  (2)
• December 2014  (3)
• November 2014  (1)
• October 2014  (3)
• September 2014  (4)
• August 2014  (3)
• July 2014  (2)
• June 2014  (2)
• May 2014  (9)
• April 2014  (13)
• March 2014  (10)
• February 2014  (6)
• January 2014  (9)
• December 2013  (8)
• November 2013  (3)
• October 2013  (9)
• September 2013  (9)
• August 2013  (6)
• July 2013  (1)
• May 2013  (8)
• April 2013  (11)
• March 2013  (16)
• February 2013  (8)
• January 2013  (11)
• December 2012  (6)
• November 2012  (7)
• October 2012  (7)
• September 2012  (3)
• August 2012  (9)
• July 2012  (3)
• June 2012  (4)
• May 2012  (10)
• April 2012  (12)
• March 2012  (8)
• February 2012  (17)
• January 2012  (17)
• December 2011  (4)
• November 2011  (3)
• October 2011  (7)
• September 2011  (9)
• August 2011  (4)
• June 2011  (3)
• May 2011  (9)
• April 2011  (13)
• March 2011  (9)
• February 2011  (5)
• January 2011  (15)
• December 2010  (1)
• November 2010  (6)
• October 2010  (7)
• September 2010  (8)
• August 2010  (2)
• June 2010  (1)
• Entries feed
• Comments feed
• WordPress.com

Updates by date

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

24/7 writing help on your phone

To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”

Poetic Analysis of Crossing the Swamp by Mary Oliver

Save to my list

Remove from my list

• The Paris Review - Crossing the Swamp by Mary Oliver
• Brain Pickings - Crossing the Swamp by Mary Oliver
• Poem Hunter - Crossing the Swamp
• Lapham's Quarterly - Mary Oliver: Crossing the Swamp

Poetic Analysis of Crossing the Swamp by Mary Oliver. (2016, May 07). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/poetic-analysis-of-crossing-the-swamp-by-mary-oliver-essay

"Poetic Analysis of Crossing the Swamp by Mary Oliver." StudyMoose , 7 May 2016, https://studymoose.com/poetic-analysis-of-crossing-the-swamp-by-mary-oliver-essay

StudyMoose. (2016). Poetic Analysis of Crossing the Swamp by Mary Oliver . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/poetic-analysis-of-crossing-the-swamp-by-mary-oliver-essay [Accessed: 11 Aug. 2024]

"Poetic Analysis of Crossing the Swamp by Mary Oliver." StudyMoose, May 07, 2016. Accessed August 11, 2024. https://studymoose.com/poetic-analysis-of-crossing-the-swamp-by-mary-oliver-essay

"Poetic Analysis of Crossing the Swamp by Mary Oliver," StudyMoose , 07-May-2016. [Online]. Available: https://studymoose.com/poetic-analysis-of-crossing-the-swamp-by-mary-oliver-essay. [Accessed: 11-Aug-2024]

StudyMoose. (2016). Poetic Analysis of Crossing the Swamp by Mary Oliver . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/poetic-analysis-of-crossing-the-swamp-by-mary-oliver-essay [Accessed: 11-Aug-2024]

• "Crossing The Swamp" by Mary Oliver Poem Analysis Pages: 2 (454 words)
• Review of Language in Okefenokee Swamp Pages: 3 (707 words)
• “Owls” by Mary Oliver Rhetorical Analysis Pages: 2 (407 words)
• Mary Oliver's "Singapore": Nature, Life, and Perceived Beauty Pages: 2 (561 words)
• Mary Rowlandson vs. Mary Jemison’s Pages: 4 (1156 words)
• Analysis Of The Dead Wake: The Last Crossing Of The Lusitania By Erik Larson Pages: 3 (824 words)
• Text response to Border Crossing by Pat Barker Pages: 5 (1479 words)
• Crossing at the Bar Meaning Pages: 6 (1725 words)
• A Poem Crossing the Bar by Lord Alfred Tennyson Pages: 2 (503 words)
• Crossing Brooklyn Ferry Pages: 2 (380 words)

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2364 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11012 literature essays, 2780 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

Mary Oliver: Poetry

Relationship analysis in mary oliver's "crossing the swamp" alexandria smith 11th grade.

The poem “Crossing the Swamp” by Mary Oliver features a relationship that, at first glance, seems relatively simple. However, through further analysis, there is a deeper connection and relationship between speaker and swamp. The speaker in this poem represents a person, seemingly one who is down on their luck. The swamp represents hard times. The relationship between the two is symbiotic, but it also is strained. Throughout the poem, the speaker's relationship with the swamp develops. The author uses literary devices including changing tone, developing imagery, and an extended metaphor to convey a theme of how the world can be a horrible place, and times can be hard, but through a changed perspective, you can “cross the swamp” and learn how to grow from the times that aren’t so good.

Crossing the Swamp implements tone heavily throughout the poem. As the poem begins, the tone is clearly very negative, with Oliver implementing words such as “wet” and “thick”. Her opening words in the poem describe it as endless, which the speaker brought back later in the poem, further describing it as “pathless, seamless mud” and “trying to find foothold, fingerhold, mindhold over such slick crossings”. Referring back to the aforementioned theme...

GradeSaver provides access to 2314 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 10989 literature essays, 2752 sample college application essays, 911 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

Already a member? Log in

• The Waterfall

Crossing the Swamp

• The Journey
• AP Multiple Choice
• Bibliography

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Overcoming Obstacles — Crossing the Swamp: A Metaphor for Life’s Challenges

Crossing The Swamp: a Metaphor for Life's Challenges

• Categories: Challenges Overcoming Obstacles

About this sample

Words: 535 |

Published: Sep 12, 2023

Words: 535 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Karlyna PhD

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 741 words

1 pages / 649 words

2 pages / 956 words

2 pages / 1179 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Overcoming Obstacles

Turn your obstacles to opportunities is a mindset that encourages individuals to approach life's challenges with resilience and optimism. While obstacles may seem like roadblocks, they also hold the potential to become [...]

Life is replete with challenges that extend beyond the confines of academia. Non-academic challenges, such as financial hardship, discrimination, and mental health issues, can cast a long shadow over one's academic performance, [...]

Challenges are an inescapable part of life, shaping our character and influencing our paths in profound ways. In the realm of academics, challenges often manifest as complex research projects, demanding both intellectual rigor [...]

Failing is a blessing in disguise, an invitation to learn, grow, and evolve. The lessons of failure are not confined to a single domain; they transcend our personal and professional lives, shaping our character, mindset, and [...]

In today’s rapidly changing world, we face a lot of problems ranging from work, family, relationships, health and finance. Often, the most common advice we are given is to ‘be positive’ and our problems will eventually be gone. [...]

Ryan Rush has an impressive resume. He is pastor of Bannockburn Baptist Church in Austin Texas. Mr. Rush is a public preacher, teacher, and speaker. As well as, an author of at least three books. He also hosts television and [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Lit & More

October 31, 2020 ·

AP Lit Skill Spotlight: Structure

AP Lit Skill Spotlights · Poetry Lessons & Resources

Of all the skills in AP* Lit’s CED, structure is one of my favorites! My students look puzzled when they’re asked to talk about structure, often because they don’t know all that it entails. Structure can refer to a poem’s: form, rhyme, meter, line breaks, shifts, patterns, punctuation, and syntax. Basically, anything you can say about the placement or pattern of a word or phrase can be chalked up to structure. However, getting students to discuss the function of structure is even harder. Structure is a skill that can be applied to poetry and prose, but for this post we’re just going to be discussing poetry.

* AP® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this website .

Teaching Structure Through TED Ed

I almost used a song to introduce structure but I decided it would probably confuse them. After all, students are the ones constantly asking if music counts as poetry, which isn’t an easy one. Instead, I chose this excellent TED Ed lesson , which tackles how poetry can take many different forms that overlap with prose, art, and music.

This video goes through several different ways that poetry can blur lines with other forms of expression. Concrete poems and highly visual poetry from E. E. Cummings merge with art. Hip hop music and songs from songwriters like Bob Dylan merge with music, and songwriters are actually winning Nobel Prizes for literature . There’s even a growing movement of poetry on social media like Twitter and Instagram. See below for some of the examples from the Ted Ed video and ask your students, is it poetry?

Concrete Poetry

E. E. Cummings’ Poetry

Song Lyrics

I love the end of this Ted Ed lesson , for it doesn’t offer any label or definition to what poetry is. Instead, it teaches what poetry does . Therefore, if any of media above “comments on what it is to be human,” then it can be called poetry. The AP ® skill on Structure emphasizes how poets use form and structure to enhance their analysis of poetry.

Focus Poem & Questions

One of the most popular poems for teaching the function of structure is Mary Oliver’s “Crossing the Swamp.” It’s true that teaching sonnets and other fixed form poems are excellent for teaching structure, but students can sometimes get caught up in naming the structure rather than analyzing its function . This is why I prefer Oliver’s poem for this lesson.

After reading the poem, ask your students to discuss the following question:

Questions for Mary Oliver’s “Crossing the Swamp”

• What is this poem about? Is it a narrative poem, telling a story, or a lyrical poem, expressing ideas? Explain your answer.
• Circle or list all words that describe that describe the swamp. Then, categorize them: which have positive connotations and which have negative connotations?
• How would you describe the form or structure of the poem?
• What connection can you make between the structure of “Crossing the Swamp” with the poem’s topic or message?
• Now, let’s tackle the big question: How does this poem’s structure enhance it’s meaning ?

Teacher’s Guide

• The poem begins with an image of a thick swamp. It moves from literal to figurative with the line, “Here is swamp, here is struggle, closure––”. The swamp represents life and its struggles; it expresses feelings rather than tells a story. Therefore, this poem is lyrical, not narrative.
• The first part of the poem describes the swamp as being “endless,” “wet,” and “dense,” emphasizing its size and danger. The speaker struggles to cross it, “trying for foothold, fingerhold, mindhold.” The swamp is all-consuming and the speaker’s “bones knock together” in the prospect of crossing it. All of these descriptions have connotations of fear and danger, therefore seem negative. However, there is a shift midway through when the speaker says, “I feel not wet so much as painted and glittered.” These words have positive connotations, demonstrating the speaker’s hopeful attitude, leaving with an image of a single stick “taking root” and creating a “palace of leaves.”
• This poem is a free verse poem with lines that increase in indents at sets of four. The structure does not appear motivated by rhyme or meter, like a sonnet would be.
• There are connections between the poem’s “back and forth” spacing with the speaker’s journey through the swamp.
• Oliver’s “Crossing the Swamp” links form with meaning as the speaker embarks on a dangerous journey through the swamp. The lines, moving slowly forward in lines of four, then returning to their original starting point in a continuous cycle, represent the speaker. Each step is short and slow, and often times one must turn back to begin where they started. However, the poem also moves in a continuous motion downward, expressing a movement nonetheless. Oliver uses structure to convey the difficult but continuous movement of the speaker of her poem as she works to “sprout” and “branch out” by the end.

Poem Suggestions

Here are some other poems that can help you teach structure in poetry. Thanks to the Facebook community for helping with suggestions:

• “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley
• “September Suite” by Lucille Clifton
• “Women” by May Swenson
• “The Convergence of the Twain” by Thomas Hardy
• “In Just” by E. E. Cummings
• “Southern History” by Natasha Trethewey
• “Invictus” by Ernest Henley
• “We Grow Accustomed to the Dark” by Emily Dickinson
• “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Lawrence Dunbar
• “Short Story on a Painting of Gustav Klimt” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti
• “To Paint a Water Lily” by Ted Hughes
• “A Sight in Camp in the Daybreak Gray and Dim” by Walt Whitman
• “The Writer” by Richard Wilbur

Latest on Instagram

Crossing the Swamp Essay

Metaphors In Crossing The Swamp

is an endless adventure. In Crossing the Swamp, the poet describes a speaker crossing a swamp and the difficulties that come along and reflects life upon the swamp. The poet uses metaphors, imagery, and structure to develop a bittersweet relationship between the speaker and the swamp; the speaker has a hard time crossing the swamp but realizes the beauty of nature that sprouts from the swamp and thus describes how life works. The poet uses the entire poem or the swamp specifically as a big metaphor

Crossing The Swamp Poem

the poem crossing the swamp the relationship between the speaker and the swamp is that the swamp is what the author puts in as her problem. She’s trying to compare the swamp to her problem, “here is the endless wet think cosmos” both of the speaker and the swamp share fear “I feel not wet as much as paintable and glittered.” The author puts out the list of words pathless, peerless that gives an elaborate tone for the swamp and author’s relationship the feeling the author has for the swamp is fearfulness

Mary Oliver Crossing The Swamp

Throughout “Crossing the Swamp”, Mary Oliver compares life’s obstacles and hardships with the conditions of a swamp. She eventually displays that success and elation could not occur if not for hardships. Oliver tries to bridge the gap between the idea of crossing a swamp and the journey of life itself. She skillfully utilizes a fractured and varied structure, swamp-like imagery, and a change in tone to reveal that without hardship, success would not be possible. Firstly, Mary Oliver uses a fractured

Crossing The Swamp By Mary Oliver

“Crossing the Swamp” In the poem “Crossing the Swamp” by Mary Oliver explains in detail of the metaphoric swamp is either life or the surroundings of that moment of which the poem is being taken place in, but could be taken both ways. Mary shows the many problems and how ugly life or her personal surroundings really are. The opening line “Here is the endless wet thick cosmos,the center of everything the nugget of dense sap...” (Oliver 1-5). The line could be investigated as a never ending pool of

In the poem, "Crossing the Swamp," the poet Mary Oliver expresses her differentiating views on life. By utilizing descriptive imagery, metaphors, and distinctive tones, Oliver was able to develop a connection between everyday life to a swamp. To show her initial feelings towards the swamp, Oliver conveys a solemn tone, but later on, she modifies her tone to correspond with her new view of the swamp. Initially, she describes the swamp to be a "struggle, closure, pathless, seamless, peerless mud."

What do you think of when picturing a swamp? In “Crossing the Swamp” by Mary Oliver, the speaker views the swamp as challenging and difficult but gradually realizes the beauty of it as well. Using imagery and parallelism, Oliver focuses on how the speaker feels about the swamp and how that changes over time. The parallelism in this poem points out how confused the speaker felt. “pathless, seamless, peerless mud…” (12-13) as well as “…for foothold, fingerhold, mindhold…” (16-17) describe how lost

In the poem “Crossing the Swamp” by Mary Oliver, who creates a metaphorical idea of the difficulties faced when crossing a swamp to the difficulties of making it through life. Using vivid imagery, enjambment, alliteration, and metaphor in the open form, Oliver depicts her rejuvenating experience of struggling with life while coming out victorious. Oliver starts off by using imagery to describe the struggle with the swamp as a sense of hardship, and challenge. Her descriptions utilizes dark diction

In the poem, “Crossing the Swamp,” by Mary Oliver, readers encounter a speaker who compares a swamp to her life, and how she is stuck in the “swamp.” The poet creates a helpless tone because the speaker is explaining how life can make readers feel stuck and unable to get up from the low points in life. The result is a poem that makes readers feel sad and disconcerting. “Crossing the Swamp” depicts the feelings all humans endure at least once in their life—hardship; when a person faces adversity and

connect the reader to their emotions. Crossing the Swamp is a free verse nature poem by Mary Oliver. Within the poem, it focuses on a gripping emotion that the reader feels through the setting and major idea of the poem. The character is in a swamp, a metaphor for personal struggles and personal growth. In Mary Oliver’s Crossing the Swamp, she uses a bittersweet tone through the word choices and tone of the poem; showcasing struggle and hopefulness within the swamp, and life overall. Oliver uses word

writing style, is filled to the brim with literary devices. These devices are used by the author to communicate their story. Mary Oliver’s, “Crossing the Swamp,” is a tale of one person’s struggles in crossing a swamp. Mary uses the techniques of descriptive language, metaphors, and personification to develop the relationship between the speaker and the swamp. Overflowing her poem with the details of her vision, Oliver effectively transports the reader into the story being told. “My bones knock together

Popular Topics

• Social and Economic Changes and Continuities in the Atlantic World: 1492 to 1750 Essay
• Comparing The Seafarer, The Wanderer, and The Wife's Lament Essay
• Employee Performance Measurement Essay
• Macbeth vs. Animal Farm Essay
• Heritage Assessment Essay
• ATH Microtechnologies Essay
• Florence Kelley Essay
• European Scramble for Africa Essay
• Social Influences of Entertainment Media: Positive or Negative Essay
• Cold War Fears of the American People After World War II Essay

AP Lit and Comp Poetry essay prompt on "Crossing the Swamp" by Mary Oliver

• Word Document File

Description

College Board releases prompts previously used on the AP Literature and Composition exam periodically. I assigned the 2004 poetry prompt to my students and used the attached rubric to score them.

I attached my thesis statement practice and outline as well as my annotations of the prompt and my outline for the essay.

Please refer to the new grading rubrics College Board changed in 2019. I have a reformatted poetry essay analysis rubric that is only two pages so it can be copied back to back or minimized to fit on one page.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/AP-Lit-and-Comp-2019-Reformatted-Poetry-Essay-Rubric-4808083

I have quarterly pacing guides on TpT with the assignments and materials I use in my AP Lit and Comp class if interested.

Quarter 1 pacing guide:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/AP-Lit-and-Comp-Quarter-1-pacing-calendar-4589883

Quarter 2 pacing guide:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/AP-Lit-and-Comp-Quarter-2-pacing-calendar-4600345

Quarter 3 pacing guide:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/AP-Lit-and-Comp-Quarter-3-pacing-calendar-4611610

Quarter 4 pacing guide:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/AP-Lit-and-Comp-Quarter-4-pacing-calendar-4615413

Questions & Answers

English lessons.

• We're hiring
• Help & FAQ
• Privacy policy
• Student privacy
• Terms of service
• Tell us what you think