Miniver Cheevy, child of scorn,

Grew lean while he assailed the seasons;

He wept that he was ever born,

And he had reasons.

5) 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,

10) And dreamed, and rested from his labors;

He dreamed of Thebes and Camelot,

And Priam's neighbors.

Minever mourned the ripe renown

That made so many a name so fragrant;

15) He mourned Romance, now on the town,

And Art, a vagrant.

Minever loved the Medici,

Albeit he had never seen one;

He would have sinned incessantly

20) Could he have been one.

Miniver cursed the commonplace

And eyed a khaki suit with loathing;

He missed the mediæval grace

Of iron clothing.

25) 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,

30) Scratched his head and kept on thinking;

Miniver coughed, and called it fate,

And kept on drinking.

Allusion

The poem alludes to several mythological places, such as Camelot, Thebes, and Troy (11-2).

Camelot was the main palace for King Arthur and his knights. Camelot legendarily represented ideals such as justice, bravery, and courage. King Arthur also embodied these ideals in midaeval England. The use of this kingdom in the poem highlights the fact that Robinson wishes the reader to understand that Miniver's idea of life was purely fictional. This emphasizes quixotic moral ideals.

Thebes was the legendary capital of Sophocles' Oedipus. This brings to mind the intellectual prowess of Ancient Greece. Using this allusion assists Robinson in

"Priam's neighbors" alludes to the Iliad in which King Priam's kingdom, Troy, was destroyed (12). The allusion to this time brings to mind Ancient Greece and all of the glory associated with the empire. This allusion also emphasizes the fact that he wishes to be mentioned in a work such as the Iliad. Miniver desperately wished to be a legend.

The Medici were an extremely prominent family in Renaissance Florence. They were an incredibly wealthy family to begin with, but gained fame from their widely respected banking system. Using this allusion, Robinson highlights the fact that Miniver craves the legendary and the great.

Imagery

Throughout the poem, Robinson employs both sound and visual imagery.

"Bright swords" conjure images of gallant knights in combat, their swords flashing in the sun with each parry and thrust (6). This highlights the quixotic vision Miniver holds of the past. He craves for far simpler times in which, to solve a problem, men would simply draw their swords and battle for justice. Using the swords, Robinson employs sound imagery as well. Upon reading the phrase, the reader imagines the knights locked in combat, and thus hears the clashing of steel upon steel.

Diction

The use of the word "assailed" allows the reader to understand that Miniver fought against the years (2). This assists in highlighting the fact that Miniver truly did regret that he was born now.

The fact that Miniver "sighed for what was not" highlights the fact that he longed for legendary ideals (9). It is important to note that Miniver's idols, such as King Arthur and King Priam, did not exist. Therefore, Miniver craves that which is unattainable.

The adjective "fragrant" associates itself in people's minds with flowers (14). Flowers, such as roses and carnations, are associated with romanticism. Therefore, the fact that a name is described as fragrant highlights the fact that Miniver is romantic in his ideals. Fragrant also associates with scent. Therefore, the fact that a name is fragrant emphasizes the distance of the name and the fact that Miniver can only sense a whiff of it. That whiff is enough to keep him entranced for his entire life.

Symbolism

Camelot itself symbolizes ideals such as courage, justice, and bravery.

Swords are phallic symbols (6). Robinson used this in the poem to highlight the fact that Miniver wished he lived in a time when masculinity was more defined. The fact that he scowled at a khaki suit but loved chain mail again emphasizes this fact.

Prancing steeds symbolize contained power and excessive pride.

Personification

When Robinson includes that Miniver "mourned Romance" he emphasizes the fact that Miniver felt a personal relationship with Romance and that she left him to be "out on the town" (15) . This personification also highlights the fact that Miniver believes that Romance no longer exists in the world.

Miniver also mourned "Art, a vagrant" (16) . Calling Art a vagrant brings an image to mind, as well. It brings the image of empty museums because Art is wandering around the countryside. It also highlights the fact that Miniver believes that Art betrayed him.

Punctuation

Each verse contains a semicolon in the third line. This serves to add a rhythm to the poem.

Irony

It is ironic that Miniver craves something so far in the past. This represents irony because the quality of life back then was nothing compared to the way it is now. this highlights the fact that Miniver ironically spends too much time thinking about King Arthur and his knights instead of concentrating on the opportunities offered to him in the world today.

Repetition

The repetition of the word "mourned" throughout the poem exemplefies that Miniver felt a personal attachment to the past.

The repetition of the word "thought" in the last verse highlights the fact that Miniver spend his entire life dreaming about legends of the past (27-8).

Paradox

People realized long ago that iron clothing was uncomfortable and impractical. However, the fact that Miniver views it as graceful highlights that his views on the world are impractical so it makes sense that he views the world through these quixotic spectacles. Therefore, the "medaeival grace of iron clothing" is a paradox because to him, iron clothing is far simpler and makes more sense than the "khaki suits" worn today that offer no protection from harm (22-4)

Tone

The tone of the poem is satirical and didactic.

The poem is satirical because it criticizes the life of an embittered, quixotic old man.

The poem is didactic because it attempts to teach the reader that one must make the most of one's life, and not concentrate on whatever the past may hold.