Miniver Cheevy Analysis Essay Is it possible for someone to spend their whole life dwelling on the fact that the one they want isn’t their own? This is the sad truth for the main character in “Miniver Cheevy”. Miniver Cheevy is the subject of this poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson. The poem’s entirety revolves around Cheevy mourning over a life that is not his; a life in the past. He wishes to have been born at a different time period as he values that of ancient heroes and medieval behavior. The problem is that he spends the majority of his life wishing for a different one at a different time rather than appreciating the one he’s been granted. This leads to Cheevy getting very little accomplished in life and keeps him from advancing. The term
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These figurative language examples help develop the theme. For example, the first line can be perceived as a hyperbole “Miniver Cheevy, a child of scorn”. This description fits the character suitably, but is exaggerated. Comparing Miniver Cheevy to a child of scorn is like saying someone is a “devil child”, which in reality is not possible. This particular hyperbole supports the theme by artistically revealing the subject’s bitter persona. Another example of a hyperbole in line twenty-one reads, “Miniver cursed the commonplace”. This is a hyperbole because it’s making note of the fact that the subject loathed the modern era through the use of figurative language. The line is not actually saying he cursed the “commonplace”. This example of figurative language subsidizes the theme of the poem by clarifying that Miniver Cheevy has no sense of appreciation for what he has whatsoever and proves so when he “cursed the commonplace”. Figurative language in general enhances this selection by developing the Cheevy’s characteristics as well as his thoughts on …show more content…
Miniver Cheevy contradicts the theme by only dwelling in the past and wondering if he had lived during that time, how different his life could’ve been. This “dream” is impossible as he cannot turn back the clock. Instead of trying to better himself and fill his life with positivity, he drinks away his sorrows and mourns what might’ve been. A person is only given one body and one life. It is important to cherish every piece, for it does not last
These figurative language examples help develop the theme. For example, the first line can be perceived as a hyperbole “Miniver Cheevy, a child of scorn”. This description fits the character suitably, but is exaggerated. Comparing Miniver Cheevy to a child of scorn is like saying someone is a “devil child”, which in reality is not possible. This particular hyperbole supports the theme by artistically revealing the subject’s bitter persona. Another example of a hyperbole in line twenty-one reads, “Miniver cursed the commonplace”. This is a hyperbole because it’s making note of the fact that the subject loathed the modern era through the use of figurative language. The line is not actually saying he cursed the “commonplace”. This example of figurative language subsidizes the theme of the poem by clarifying that Miniver Cheevy has no sense of appreciation for what he has whatsoever and proves so when he “cursed the commonplace”. Figurative language in general enhances this selection by developing the Cheevy’s characteristics as well as his thoughts on …show more content…
Miniver Cheevy contradicts the theme by only dwelling in the past and wondering if he had lived during that time, how different his life could’ve been. This “dream” is impossible as he cannot turn back the clock. Instead of trying to better himself and fill his life with positivity, he drinks away his sorrows and mourns what might’ve been. A person is only given one body and one life. It is important to cherish every piece, for it does not last