Final answer:
Mary Oliver's use of figurative language in "The Journey" includes imagery that enhances emotional depth, metaphors that highlight societal issues, and symbolism that reflects natural beauty, all contributing to the development of the poem's theme.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question involves analyzing how Mary Oliver's use of figurative language in the poem, "The Journey," contributes to the development of the theme. Upon examining the poem, one can identify that Oliver's use of imagery significantly enhances the emotional depth of the journey she describes, making option a) Imagery enhancing emotional depth a suitable answer. This imagery brings the reader into the experience through sensory details, which resonates with Twain's effective use of descriptive language in personal narratives, to further immerse the reader. Similarly, Oliver employs metaphors and symbolism to intricately weave through the themes of personal struggle, societal issues, and the beauty of nature, all contributing to the poem's rich tapestry. These stylistic choices allow the reader to gain insight, raise questions, and feel the immediacy of the poem's content.
For example, her use of metaphors might liken the journey to walking through a dark forest, highlighting societal issues through the daunting experience, which aligns with option c) Metaphors highlighting societal issues. Similes could spotlight personal struggles, making connections that deepen the reader's understanding of the character's experiences, corresponding to option b). Lastly, symbolism, through the depiction of elements of nature, could reflect the poem's natural beauty, pointing to option d) Symbolism reflecting natural beauty.