Miniver Cheevy: Couch Potato?
Miniver Cheevy: Couch Potato?
A poet can select from a variety of poetic elements in order to express a particular message. The most powerful messages contain a universal perspective which endures the transitions between generations. One such poem is "Miniver Cheevy" by Edwin Arlington Robinson. Robinson's use of imagery, rhythm, and emotional appeal illustrate and expose a timeless characteristic of human nature.
Good imagery not only produces a strong image in the readers' minds but also stimulates associations. Robinson's imagery produces a strong impression about Miniver Cheevy's character, especially Cheevy's frustrations with life. In the first stanza, Robinson presents the image of an unsatisfied person who "grew lean while he assailed the seasons." The phrase "grew lean" creates an image of someone losing too much weight. To complain or fight against the seasons (weather) reinforces this image of unrest or frustration, for the weather has rarely been tamed for long. Thus, in this opening stanza the reader gets an initial image of Cheevy as a frustrated loser who may lack common sense. …show more content…
The stanzas have a consistent rhythm and rhyme pattern. This consistency of rhyming every other line in each stanza produces a subtle sense of pattern to Cheevy's life. Consequently, the readers expect Cheevy to be consistent in his behavior. In the next to last stanza, Robinson repeats the word "thought" four times (27-28). This has the double power of the repetition of the sound of the word as well as the significance of the meaning. Cheevy's final retreat from reality is repeated escapes into his own
A poet can select from a variety of poetic elements in order to express a particular message. The most powerful messages contain a universal perspective which endures the transitions between generations. One such poem is "Miniver Cheevy" by Edwin Arlington Robinson. Robinson's use of imagery, rhythm, and emotional appeal illustrate and expose a timeless characteristic of human nature.
Good imagery not only produces a strong image in the readers' minds but also stimulates associations. Robinson's imagery produces a strong impression about Miniver Cheevy's character, especially Cheevy's frustrations with life. In the first stanza, Robinson presents the image of an unsatisfied person who "grew lean while he assailed the seasons." The phrase "grew lean" creates an image of someone losing too much weight. To complain or fight against the seasons (weather) reinforces this image of unrest or frustration, for the weather has rarely been tamed for long. Thus, in this opening stanza the reader gets an initial image of Cheevy as a frustrated loser who may lack common sense. …show more content…
The stanzas have a consistent rhythm and rhyme pattern. This consistency of rhyming every other line in each stanza produces a subtle sense of pattern to Cheevy's life. Consequently, the readers expect Cheevy to be consistent in his behavior. In the next to last stanza, Robinson repeats the word "thought" four times (27-28). This has the double power of the repetition of the sound of the word as well as the significance of the meaning. Cheevy's final retreat from reality is repeated escapes into his own