Humility In Mary Oliver's Singapore

Until the division of social differences cease, the world will never be “a poem filled with birds and tress” (Page number). Occupations and wealth define identities of humans and their quality of life. The narrator in Mary Oliver’s “Singapore” experiences a sense of equality among all people through a small act of a smile. At first glance, a superficial reader may interpret the poem as the crossing of paths between women, but a closer analysis can determine the ideas of a new humility and appreciation in the narrator that results in happiness. One of the main themes Oliver conveys in this poem is the need for a realization that every person is unique, loved, and special. She expresses this through her narrator with a wealthy job and a custodian washing the toilets. Despite different social levels, the narrator stays in the restroom to smile at the dirty custodian even though she could flee when the author states, “I felt for the ticket in my pocket” (Page number). Realizing she is no better than the custodian because of a

She encourages readers to find gratefulness present in their lives. The joy of the custodian’s smile latches onto the narrator and permeates in her mind and is inspired by her happiness. In the narrator’s pursuit of happiness, she forgot to simply be happy when seeing the custodian’s life she would be unhappy with full of joy. Because the custodian is grateful for all she is blessed with, the narrator chooses to do so. This is true when the author states at the beginning of the poem, “A person wants to stand in a happy place, in poem. But first we must watch her as she states down at her labor” (Page number). The change at heart is made clear when this quote represents her new humility and happiness, “The way this poem is filled with trees, and birds” (Page number). At the beginning of the poem, the narrator asks what nonsense is the custodian’s smile.. Yes I know I am not