The Maniac Mary Robinson Analysis

“The Maniac” by Mary Robinson

“The Maniac” is a poem about a speaker utterly transfixed by the figure of the maniac. The speaker sits at her window and watches the maniac go about his life – she cannot fully comprehend why the maniac acts the way he does but she desires to help him through his condition. Although the speaker requests multiple times for the maniac to share his woes, she tends to portray the maniac as if he were something less than human. The fact that the speaker never gives the maniac a proper name can emit verification toward the idea that Robinson portrays the maniac like a creature, multiple times. The title hints to these conceptions as well – it serves as a framing device, setting the audience up to view the maniac as

It seems as though the speaker is implicating that the maniac brings his misery upon himself. She attests to ways in which the maniac could help his condition but he chooses to revel in his madness instead.

The speaker describes the maniac’s face as pale and distorted such is Robinson’s way of representing the maniac as “othered” in society. This description of his face reflects the maniac’s internal state of mind.

The Minstrel described in these lines is actually a representation of the speaker of the poem.

A minstrel is a type of medieval entertainer, typically they would sing lyrical and heroic poetry to members of nobility. Mary Robinson is taking on the persona of the minstrel, creating a dramatic and imaginative account of the maniac as if part of a heroic tale. As she follows the maniac and fixates on his condition, she embellishes his behavior as a minstrel would while performing in front of members of royalty and high society.

Note that the maniac never speaks once in the poem, he only ‘shrieks’ ‘howls’ ‘sings’ ‘laughs’ ‘weeps’ ‘raves’ ‘moans’ and ‘groans’ similar to an animal or beast.

“Shrunk atom of mortality.” Condemning

Reference to another mythological creature: the nymph. As folklore inscribes, nymph are spirits of nature, typically depicted as young, beautiful maidens that inhabit rivers, mountains, forests and other natural landscapes. The allusion to nymphs in “The Maniac” is meant to show how depression can be seductive and enchanting, similarly how nymphs are known to charm men with their “airy voice”.

The speaker ponders on whether it be failed friendships or jealousy that have made the maniac turn out to be this way. Nevertheless, the speaker establishes that these painful sentiments are dangerous upon the human condition, the capacity of empathy is affected severely.

Like an animal bite, these desolating thoughts act like an animal sinking its teeth into flesh. I get the sense that Robinson is attempting to imply the disease of rabies, how after being bit by a rabid animal.

A supreme concern and threat to human beings.

A potent symbol of madness and