Introduction: The poem deals with the beauty of the English countryside and its hard-working citizens. It depicts the natural phenomena of the Scottish Landscape. It gives the moral that mental satisfaction is much more important than living an affluent life. As it was written in the medieval period, it consists of so many archaic words. Here, the “dee” refers to a river of Wales. Let’s delve into Charles Mackay’s “The Miller of Dee” with a stanza-by-stanza analysis, including the meanings of any potentially complicated words.
Overall Theme:
The poem presents a contrast between the simple, contented life of a miller and the potentially burdened life of a king. It explores themes of happiness, contentment, the value of simple living, and the idea that material wealth and high status do not necessarily equate to inner peace.
Stanza 1:
There dwelt a miller, hale and bold, Beside the river Dee; He worked and sang from morn till night – No lark more blithe than he; And this the burden of his song Forever used to be: “I envy nobody – no, not I – And nobody envies me!”
- Analysis: This stanza introduces the central figure, the miller, and establishes his character. He is described as “hale and bold,” suggesting he is healthy, strong, and courageous. His constant singing from morning till night indicates a cheerful disposition, even comparing him to a “blithe” (happy and carefree) lark. The “burden of his song” refers to the recurring theme or main point of his singing, which is his complete lack of envy and the belief that no one envies him.
- Complicated Words:
- Dwelt: Lived or resided.
- Hale: Strong and healthy.
- Blithe: Happy and cheerful.
- Burden: The main theme or recurring part (in this context, of his song).
Stanza 2:
“Thou’rt wrong, my friend,” said good King Hal, “As wrong as wrong can be, For could my heart be light as thine, I’d gladly change with thee. And tell me now, what makes thee sing, With voice so loud and free, While I am sad, though I am king, Beside the river Dee?”
- Analysis: This stanza introduces King Henry VIII (“good King Hal” is a common historical reference). The King directly contradicts the miller’s assertion, stating emphatically that the miller is mistaken. The King reveals his own unhappiness despite his high status, expressing a desire to have the miller’s lightheartedness and even suggesting he would “gladly change” places. He is curious about the source of the miller’s joy, contrasting it with his own sadness, even in the same location by the River Dee.
- Complicated Words:
- Thine: Your (an archaic possessive pronoun).
- Thee: You (an archaic objective pronoun).
Stanza 3:
The miller smiled and doffed his cap, “I earn my bread,” quoth he; “I love my wife, I love my friend, I love my children three; I owe no penny I can not pay, I thank the river Dee, That turns the mill that grinds the corn That feeds my babes and me.”
- Analysis: The miller responds to the King with a simple explanation for his contentment. He “doffed his cap” (removed it as a sign of respect). His reasons are grounded in basic human joys and responsibilities: earning his living honestly, the love of his family and friends, and financial independence (“I owe no penny I can not pay”). He also expresses gratitude for the River Dee, which powers his mill and provides for his family. This stanza highlights the miller’s satisfaction with the fundamental aspects of his life.
- Complicated Words:
- Doffed: Removed or took off (typically a hat).
- Quoth: Said (an archaic verb).
- Corn: Grain (often wheat in this historical context).
- Babes: Children (an older, affectionate term).
Stanza 4:
“Good friend,” said Hal, and sighed the while, “Farewell, and happy be; But say no more, if thou’dst be true, That no one envies thee; Thy mealy cap is worth my crown, Thy mill my kingdom’s fee; Such men as thou are England’s boast, O miller of the Dee!”
- Analysis: The King acknowledges the miller’s wisdom and the source of his happiness. He sighs, perhaps reflecting on his own lack of such simple contentment. He concedes that the miller’s humble “mealy cap” (covered in flour from his work that represents his hardship and honesty) is more valuable to him than the King’s crown, and the miller’s mill is worth more than the revenue of his kingdom (“kingdom’s fee”). Thus, the stanza shows how citizens strengthen the nation and how the real power and wealth of a kingdom lie not only in the king but also on the citizens. The King concludes by praising the miller as a representative of the true strength and pride of England. This stanza emphasizes the King’s realization that true wealth lies not in material possessions or status, but in a contented and honest life.
- Complicated Words:
- Thou’dst: You would (contraction of “thou wouldst”).
- Mealy: Covered with meal or flour.
- Fee: Payment or revenue (in this context, the income generated by the kingdom).
- Boast: Something to be proud of.
In conclusion, “The Miller of Dee” is a charming and insightful poem that contrasts the perceived glamour of royalty with the genuine happiness found in a simple, honest life. The miller’s contentment stems from his work, family, friendships, and financial independence, while the King, despite his power and wealth, recognizes the value of this simpler existence and even envies the miller’s peace of mind. The poem ultimately celebrates the dignity of labor and the importance of finding joy in the fundamental aspects of life.
The Poem as a Parody: This poem is a parody of an earlier poem by Isaac Bickerstaff called “The Jolly Miller.” Having the text of Isaac Bickerstaff’s “The Jolly Miller” allows for a direct comparison and confirms that Charles Mackay’s “The Miller of Dee” is indeed a parody. Let’s analyze how Mackay’s poem functions as a parody of Bickerstaff’s original:
Key Differences Highlighting the Parody:
Reason for Contentment:
* Bickerstaff’s Miller: His primary reason for being jolly is self-reliance and a lack of concern for others (“I care for nobody, no not I, if nobody cares for me”). His connection to his mill is almost familial (“she’s kindred, child, and wife”). He seems somewhat detached from societal concerns.
* Mackay’s Miller: His happiness stems from more conventional virtues: earning his bread honestly, love for his family and friends, financial responsibility, and gratitude for the source of his livelihood (the river Dee). He is grounded in positive relationships and appreciation.
Interaction with Authority:
* Bickerstaff’s Miller: There is no interaction with anyone of higher status. His contentment is self-contained and independent of the outside world.
* Mackay’s Miller: He has a direct encounter with King Henry VIII, who expresses envy for his seemingly simpler life. This interaction is a key element of Mackay’s parody, contrasting the perceived burdens of royalty with the miller’s humble joy.
The “Burden” of the Song:
* Bickerstaff’s Miller: His recurring line emphasizes his independence and lack of social obligation.
* Mackay’s Miller: His repeated line focuses on his lack of envy and the idea that he is not envied, highlighting a sense of peaceful self-acceptance rather than detachment.
The Ending:
* Bickerstaff’s Poem: The final stanza shifts to a more general call for joyful living and ends with a patriotic “Long live the king,” seemingly tacked on and somewhat disconnected from the miller’s self-centered contentment. This abrupt shift could be part of what Mackay is subtly satirizing – perhaps the forced patriotism or the superficial “jolliness.”
* Mackay’s Poem: The King himself acknowledges the miller’s worth and declares, “Such men as thou are England’s boast.” This provides a clear moral and elevates the miller’s simple life as an ideal, contrasting with the potential hollowness of the King’s status.
Elements of Parody in Mackay’s Poem:
* Similar Setting and Character: Mackay retains the “miller” figure and the “river Dee” setting, directly referencing the original.
* Echoing the “Burden”: He uses the concept of a recurring song lyric, mirroring Bickerstaff’s structure, but changes the content to convey a different message about contentment.
* Subversion of the “Jolly” Miller: While Mackay’s miller is content, his reasons are more wholesome and less self-serving than Bickerstaff’s. This could be a gentle critique of the somewhat apathetic nature of the original “jolly miller.”
* Introducing the King: This is a significant addition that allows Mackay to explore the theme of contentment from a contrasting perspective and likely satirizes the idea that power and wealth equate to happiness. The King’s envy undercuts the traditional view of royalty.
* Reframing the Miller as a National Ideal: By having the King praise the miller, Mackay elevates the value of simple, honest living over aristocratic privilege, potentially offering a commentary on societal values.
Conclusion: Charles Mackay’s “The Miller of Dee” is indeed a parody of Isaac Bickerstaff’s “The Jolly Miller.” It borrows the central figure and setting but subverts the reasons for the miller’s happiness and introduces a contrasting figure (the King) to offer a commentary on contentment, societal values, and perhaps even a subtle critique of the self-centeredness implied in Bickerstaff’s original. Mackay’s poem presents a more virtuous and socially engaged version of the contented miller, contrasting it with the potential unhappiness of even the highest in society.
