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Formalistic Approach : "Miniver Cheevy" is a poem that requires analysis of tone, allusion, and rhyme scheme to fully grasp the meaning. The tone of the poem is satirical and didactic. In this poem, Robinson beseeches the reader to take the life that is presented to him or her and not to concentrate upon the treasures the past may hold. The poem satirically outlines the life of a man who fantasizes about the past, yet does nothing to change his own life for the better. The first seven stanzas outline his life and his fantasies about the past, while the final stanza brings into sharp relief the actual quality of his life today. This organization of the stanzas also employs understatement in the fact that Miniver's life is concentrated solely upon the past, which he views as more important than the present-- in fact, it is the other way around. The poem also has an ironic tone, which is leant by the shortness of the fourth line in each stanza. This allows the reader to view, with clarity, the true state of Miniver's life-- misery. The short stanzas also assist in allowing the reader to cleave straight through the fine mist of deception Miniver wrapped around himself by juxtaposing the adventurous vision of the past and the failure of his own life.
Robinson alludes to Camelot, Thebes, and Sophocles' Oedipus in the poem in order to clarify the romantic notions Miniver entertains about the past. The allusions to both Camelot and Thebes are important because these allusions highlight the fact that Miniver only desires greatness and legends in his life, and views his own existence as pointless. The allusion to Sophocles serves to emphasize that Miniver craves the intellectual prowess of the past, as well.
The entire poem's rhyme scheme is predictable, as each stanza follows the same "a b a b" form. The poem consists of eight quatrains which set a tone for the poem that lulls the reader into a comfortable rhythm. The rhyme scheme and structure are important in the analysis of the poem, as it highlights the fact that Miniver lulls himself into a similar state with his dreams and his alcohol. The fact that each stanza has the same rhyme scheme and structure also emphasizes the fact that Miniver views his life as mundane and repetitive. He believes that his life pales in comparison to the life of the past of which he constantly dreamt, when in fact his life is better. His life is better because life in the midaeval times was very uncomfortable and things were not as simple as Miniver would have liked to believe. This also highlights his ignorance, as he lionizes the past without truly understanding what the past contained.
Moral-Philosophical Approach:"Miniver Cheevy" represents a carpe diem poem. With this work, Robinson illustrates the life of a bitter, drunken old man who cannot stop thinking about the past. This causes him to lose track of his life, which is exemplified in the fact that he "grows lean" as he goes through his life reluctantly (2). Robinson's point in writing this work lies in the fact that he describes Miniver as scorning everything in the world around him while also highlighting that he longs for a time in which people wore iron clothing. This ironic juxtaposition portrays Miniver as idealistic and foolish, as he does not realize the opportunities offered to him now. Robinson urges the reader to take what life has given and make the most of it, for dwelling upon the past only harms the spirit.
"Miniver Cheevy" also represents a didactic poem because Robinson implores the reader, using the illustration of Miniver's sad life, to realize the quality of life does not lie in the legends people spawn, but in how people feel about themselves. Miniver underestimates the power of perspective in that he craves a time of poor technology and standards. He fails to realize that the improvements of today far surpass the simplistic views of yesterday. Robinson, with this poem, illustrates that the present always surpasses the future.