Miniver Cheevy

Though Edwin Arlington Robinson was renowned in his time, only a few of his poems are still well-known today. One of his most enduring poems is “Miniver Cheevy,” a widely anthologized narrative poem originally published in Robinson’s 1910 collection The Town Down the River. This collection offers various portraits of downtrodden characters living in New York City, written in a realistic style.

“Miniver Cheevy” is a satirical portrait of an unhappy man at odds with modernity, who some critics think resembles the poet himself. Despite this, Robinson does not hold back from being critical of the unflattering aspects of the character’s nature.

Robinson’s peer Robert Frost may have dubbed Robinson the “prince of heartachers” (D. H. Tracy, “Aspects of Robinson.” Contemporary Poetry Review: 2007) but a deeper look into his work and biography reveals an unappreciated optimism for life in the face of hardship. Miniver Cheevy' may not learn this important lesson, but his character serves as a warning to those who would follow in his footsteps.

Poet Biography

Edwin Arlington Robinson toiled in obscurity and poverty for much of his life, but his unwillingness to give up on his dream of being a poet kept him going in the face of early criticism and misunderstanding of his work.