Miniver Cheevy
by Edwin Arlington Robinson
Miniver Cheevy, child of scorn,
Grew lean while he assailed the seasons;
He wept that he was ever born,
And he had reasons.Miniver loved the days of old
When swords were bright and steeds were prancing;
The vision of a warrior bold
Would set him dancing.Miniver sighed for what was not,
And dreamed, and rested from his labors;
He dreamed of Thebes and Camelot,
And Priam’s neighbors.Miniver mourned the ripe renown
That made so many a name so fragrant;
He mourned Romance, now on the town,
And Art, a vagrant.Miniver loved the Medici,
Albeit he had never seen one;
He would have sinned incessantly
Could he have been one.Miniver cursed the commonplace
And eyed a khaki suit with loathing;
He missed the medieval grace
Of iron clothing.Miniver scorned the gold he sought,
But sore annoyed was he without it;
Miniver thought, and thought, and thought,
And thought about it.Miniver Cheevy, born too late,
Scratched his head and kept on thinking;
Miniver coughed, and called it fate,
And kept on drinking.
Summary of Miniver Cheevy
- The Poem’s Essence: “Miniver Cheevy” is a narrative poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson, first published in 1910. It depicts a man who is perpetually dissatisfied with his own time and longs for a romanticized past. Through Miniver’s character, the poem explores nostalgia, discontent, and the tendency to idealize eras we have never lived in.
- Central Idea: The poem centers on Miniver’s deep unhappiness. He believes he was born in the wrong era, constantly comparing his present to a glorious, imagined past filled with knights, heroes, and artistic grandeur. His dissatisfaction is not merely a longing for a different time; it reflects an inability to find contentment in his own life.
- A Notable Poem: “Miniver Cheevy” is celebrated for its compelling character study and universal themes. It is frequently studied for its insight into human longing and the complexities of self‑deception. The poem is not only a lament for a bygone era; it also critiques escapism and the dangers of romanticizing the past.
Analysis of “Miniver Cheevy”
Understanding the Character of Miniver
Miniver Cheevy is more than a sad figure; he is a meticulously crafted portrait of chronic dissatisfaction. Robinson introduces him as a “child of scorn,” suggesting a lifelong inclination toward negativity. The phrase “he assailed the seasons” shows his relentless complaining and inability to appreciate the natural world. The line “He wept that he was ever born” underscores his despair and sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The Allure of the Past
The poem’s heart is Miniver’s romanticized view of history. He “loved the days of old / When swords were bright and steeds were prancing.” This imagery evokes chivalry, heroism, and adventure—contrasting sharply with the commonplace life he despises. His allusions to “Thebes, Camelot, and Priam’s neighbors” ground his longing in recognizable tales of bravery and nobility. These references elevate his yearning to a longing for honor, courage, and idealized love.
Irony and Contradiction
Miniver’s character contains subtle irony. He “scorned the gold he sought, / But sore annoyed was he without it.” This contradiction reveals a hypocrisy at the core of his dissatisfaction. While he despises materialism, he is deeply disturbed by its absence. The tension between idealistic longing and material desire underscores the complexity of human nature and the difficulty of living by one’s own principles.
Poetic Devices at Play
Robinson uses several devices to heighten the poem’s impact. Allusion is prominent, with references to historical figures and places that enrich the imagery. Anaphora appears in the repeated use of “He” at the beginning of many lines, creating a rhythmic, incantatory quality. Each stanza contains four lines, but the rhyme scheme is irregular; the poem does not follow a strict ABAB pattern. The poem’s meter is largely iambic tetrameter, giving it a musical flow that mirrors the cadence of thought.
The Symbolism of Clothing
The contrast between modern attire and “iron clothing” is significant. The “khaki suit” represents the mundane present, while the “iron clothing” symbolizes the armor of knights and warriors—a tangible embodiment of Miniver’s ideal past. This imagery underscores his desire for a heroic, adventurous life and his rejection of contemporary conformity.
The Cycle of Discontent
The poem ends with a bleak sense of inevitability. Miniver “coughed, and called it fate, / And kept on drinking.” His drinking serves both as a symptom and a means of numbing his despair. The repetitive structure of the poem emphasizes his hopeless resignation and the cyclical nature of his thoughts and actions.
Quotes to Consider
These lines are particularly evocative and useful when exploring themes of heroism and nostalgia:
“Miniver loved the days of old
When swords were bright and steeds were prancing;
The vision of a warrior bold
Would set him dancing.”
This passage captures Miniver’s romanticized view of the past and his longing for a more adventurous life. It can spark discussion about nostalgia and the allure of bygone eras.
“Miniver Cheevy” is more than a lament for a lost past; it is a poignant exploration of human discontent, self‑deception, and the elusive search for happiness. Through the richly drawn character of Miniver Cheevy, Robinson offers a timeless meditation on the complexities of the human condition.