Choose the Mountain" by Howard Simon: A Review and Analysis
"I Choose the Mountain" by Howard Simon is an evocative and reflective poem that speaks to the themes of personal choice, resilience, and the enduring struggle in life. The poem uses the powerful metaphor of choosing a mountain to represent the speaker’s decision to face challenges and adversity head-on rather than seeking an easier, less fulfilling path.
Summary of the Poem
In the poem, the speaker makes a clear and definitive choice: "I choose the mountain." The mountain symbolizes a difficult, perhaps even perilous, journey, one that is fraught with obstacles and hardship. However, the speaker's choice to embrace the mountain instead of avoiding it suggests a commitment to growth, challenge, and personal achievement. The act of choosing the mountain represents a deliberate decision to face life’s challenges directly, with all the struggle and difficulty it entails.
Throughout the poem, the speaker contrasts the mountain with other, easier paths—those that would provide comfort, security, and an easier life. However, the speaker rejects these paths, understanding that true growth and self-realization come from confronting the steep and rugged terrain of the mountain, not from taking the low road. This choice highlights the poem’s central message: that the path of struggle, while difficult, ultimately leads to a deeper and more meaningful existence.
Themes and Analysis
1. The Power of Choice and Determination
The primary theme of "I Choose the Mountain" is the power of choice and the importance of determination in the face of adversity. The speaker consciously chooses a path that is challenging, symbolized by the mountain, rather than taking the easier way out. The mountain in the poem represents life’s obstacles, difficulties, and the personal growth that comes from overcoming them.
This theme resonates with the idea that individuals have the power to shape their own lives through the choices they make, even when those choices are difficult or require significant effort. The speaker’s decision to choose the mountain suggests a mindset of resilience, where personal growth is tied to the willingness to confront challenges and persevere.
2. Embracing Struggle as a Path to Growth
The mountain is not just a symbol of struggle; it is also a symbol of growth. Choosing the mountain means choosing to undergo hardship in order to reach greater heights—both literally and metaphorically. In rejecting the easier paths, the speaker embraces the notion that hardship is an essential part of life’s journey and that true growth comes from pushing oneself beyond one's comfort zone.
This idea reflects a broader philosophical perspective that growth often requires discomfort or struggle. Just as climbing a mountain requires effort, stamina, and persistence, achieving personal or spiritual growth demands a willingness to face difficult situations and overcome challenges.
3. The Desire for Meaningful Achievement
By choosing the mountain, the speaker demonstrates a desire for more than just a life of ease or security. The mountain represents meaningful achievement, and by opting for it, the speaker expresses a desire to reach the highest potential, to scale metaphorical peaks that require effort and sacrifice. This choice signifies the speaker’s aspiration for a life that is rich in purpose, fulfillment, and personal accomplishment—values that are often found only through overcoming obstacles.
The mountain is also a symbol of the journey itself, not just the destination. The speaker seems to suggest that the process of climbing, with all its difficulties and challenges, is what ultimately gives life its meaning. The journey of overcoming the mountain itself is transformative, rather than focusing solely on the end result.
4. Acceptance of Hardship and Sacrifice
"I Choose the Mountain" acknowledges that choosing a difficult path involves hardship and sacrifice. The speaker does not make this choice lightly; they understand that climbing the mountain will not be easy. This acknowledgment reflects a mature understanding that life is full of challenges, but that accepting and embracing these challenges is what leads to growth and deeper fulfillment.
The mountain symbolizes the hardships and sacrifices we must endure in life—whether personal, professional, or emotional. In choosing the mountain, the speaker embraces the idea that life’s greatest rewards often come at the cost of struggle and sacrifice.
5. The Metaphor of the Mountain as a Universal Struggle
While the poem’s specific context and personal details of the speaker’s life are left vague, the metaphor of the mountain can be seen as universal. The choice to climb a mountain can apply to many areas of life: personal development, career goals, relationships, or even broader societal issues. Everyone faces their own "mountains," whether literal or metaphorical, and must make the choice to face these obstacles head-on or avoid them.
The mountain, as a universal symbol, taps into the shared human experience of striving to overcome adversity. It speaks to the challenges that everyone encounters and the internal battle between taking the easy route or the more demanding, rewarding one.
Literary Style
Howard Simon's style in "I Choose the Mountain" is straightforward and concise, yet his use of powerful imagery creates a deep emotional impact. The metaphor of the mountain is central to the poem, and Simon’s repetition of the phrase “I choose the mountain” emphasizes the speaker’s firm decision. The repetition serves as both a declaration and a mantra, reinforcing the theme of resolute determination.
The poem’s language is clear and direct, which makes its message both accessible and impactful. There is no ambiguity in the speaker’s decision—they are firm in their choice, and this sense of certainty adds strength to the poem’s message. The simplicity of the language mirrors the clarity and resolve that the speaker feels in choosing a difficult path.
Reception and Legacy
While "I Choose the Mountain" may not be as widely known as some other poems, it remains an evocative work that has resonated with readers who appreciate the themes of resilience, personal growth, and the acceptance of life’s struggles. It is often referenced in discussions of motivation and overcoming adversity, particularly in contexts where individuals must make difficult choices in order to achieve meaningful success.
The poem’s message is universal and timeless, and its themes of determination and growth continue to inspire readers in various walks of life. As a motivational piece, the poem remains a powerful reminder that the path to personal achievement is not always easy, but it is worth the effort.
Conclusion
Howard Simon’s "I Choose the Mountain" is a poem that encourages readers to embrace life’s challenges and understand that true growth comes from perseverance in the face of adversity. Through the metaphor of the mountain, Simon explores the value of struggle, the importance of making difficult but meaningful choices, and the strength that comes from facing life’s obstacles head-on. The poem’s clear and direct language, combined with its powerful imagery, makes it an inspiring piece about resilience and personal achievement. It serves as a timeless reminder that the most rewarding journeys are often the most challenging ones.