Comparing and Contrasting Miniver Cheevy to The Average Essay Example
There are various ways to compare and contrast 'Miniver Cheevy' and 'The Average' poems. Despite their contrasting aspects, similarities between them can also be identified.
Both poems explore the impact of parental influence on the lives of their respective sons, albeit with strikingly divergent results. The boys' upbringings contrast sharply, owing to their markedly dissimilar treatment at the hands of their parents. The Average's protagonist reflects, "His peasant parents killed themselves with toil to let their darling leave a stingy soil...," revealing the depth of his parents' affection for him.
As a child, his parents worked tirelessly to ensure that he would have a career that did not involve physical labor and would bring in a substantial income. This was summed up by the phrase "shallow breathing and grow rich." However, i
...n "Miniver Cheevy," it is stated that...
The child, who was treated with contempt, cried regretting his very existence due to valid reasons.
The text implies that the main character in 'The Average' did not have the same upbringing as the speaker. The speaker reveals that they were chastised as a child and did not have a happy childhood, leading to a desire to never have been born. Similarly, both characters in 'Miniver Cheevy' and 'The Average' feel disconnected from their current lives, with Miniver wishing to live in the past.
He dreams of a life filled with fantasy of knights and shining armor, feeling as though he was born in the wrong time period.
The line "the vision of warrior bold would set him dancing...he dreamed of Thebes and Camelot and Priam's neighbors," shows how the protagonist in the story feels out of
place, just like the boy in 'The Average.' Both characters share the same sentiment of being confined to a world that does not align with their own desires.
Despite living in reality, the boy's perception of himself differs from his parents' perception of him. He feels that he is merely average and doesn't deserve the life he has, believing that only a hero could warrant such love. However, in "The Average," he actually enjoyed his upbringing and the rustic lifestyle of country living. While his parents did place pressure on him, it was out of love and for his benefit. As the text reveals, "the pressure of their fond ambition made their shy country-loving child afraid."
We can observe the strong attachment he had to his home, which is evident from the fact that he returned running to it when sent away by his parents for education, as he said, "... and ran."
'Miniver Cheevy' exhibits a general dissatisfaction with his life, lamenting and expressing sadness and dejection.
... had a dream ...
. Grieved... damned.
...subjected to contempt...
Feeling frustrated, it can be concluded that neither boy achieved true happiness. Ultimately, they both chose to evade self-discovery, personal growth, and progression in life. The protagonist of 'The Average' simply aspired to live a mundane existence.
The individual was satisfied with being "average" and had no inclination to strive for excellence. Even when compelled to do so, they were unable to succeed and recognized that it was not their calling, causing them to flee. They observed an ordinary person attempting to achieve greatness and decided to escape.
Despite Miniver Cheevy's attempts to reflect on his life and find meaning, he ultimately
gave up and resorted to drinking, claiming his failures were simply a result of fate.
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