E. A. Robinson's Poems

Robinson’s Poems

(Open your book to the poems and follow along as each is discussed)

Richard Cory:  Richard Cory is the kind of man we all have known in our home town—the rich guy. He seems to have been born with wealth and social status, and we envy his place and his breeding. We figure if we had all his money and position, we would be SO happy.  However. . .

In Stanza 1, you will notice the images that suggest royalty (crown, imperially), which underscore the social distance between Cory and the common people of the town, at least as they see him.

In Stanza 2, it is clear that Cory is not just rich, but also kind (human), friendly (his says good morning to all), and quiet.

In Stanza 3, we agree that we would love to be “in his place.”

Then, in Stanza 4, while we curse our own lives and complain, Cory commits suicide. What??? Why would someone so wonderful and so rich hate his life so much?? The story of Richard Cory is no different from that of any number of blessed and/or wealthy people/celebrities who kill themselves or die of overdoses. And we never really understand how, when they have it all, they end it all.  We just cannot possibly know or see another’s pain.

Minver Cheevy: Miniver is one of those people we know who are never satisfied with their lives (“child of scorn”).

In Stanza 1, Miniver is described as loving the past (days of old), where he could have been a bold warrior.

Stanza 2 and 3 show Miniver thinking a lot about how great life would have been in the days of King Arthur (Camelot) and ancient Greece and Troy. But notice that his references are all to FICTIONAL heroes, not real ones. So does that suggest that it is real life he hates?

Stanza 4 shows him losing himself in the idea of “Romance” (as in the medieval romances of King Arthur).

Stanza 5 refers to examples of a famous wealthy family who influenced the world of art and church. He LOVED these people, though he never met one.

Stanza 6 shows him wishing he could exchange his khakis for a suit of armor.

Stanza 7 reveals that he scorned his own money, but was angry when he did not have any. Mostly he just sat around and day dreamed about impossible situations he would love to be in.

So in Stanza 8 it becomes clear that he has only one way to deal with his horrible life—drinking. Yes, he reminds me of a couple of guys I know, both of whom are very successful. They are angry all the time, angry about the government demanding taxes from them, angry about politicians who give money to the poor, etc. Like Miniver, they drink and drink. Hmmm.

Mr. Flood’s Party:  Mr. Flood is a much more sympathetic character than the other two. He seems to be completely alone. He climbs a hill and has no one to drink with but himself, so he talks to himself. (Stanza 2).

Stanza 3 shows him “enduring to the end.” Earlier in his life he had been honored by his friends.

Stanza 4 shows him being very careful with his jug “knowing that most things break,” and noticing that his jug stood “as the uncertain lives of men/Assuredly did not.” He starts to break our hearts here as we see how sad and how afraid he is of losing what little comfort he has left.

Stanza 5 and 6 continue to emphasize his loneliness as he talks to himself and offers himself another drink, pretending that he is there with a friend.

Read the last four lines a couple of times to see where his life stands. Apparently his friends are gone and most all of his family. [When my mother was in her late 80s and early 90s, she said how lonely she felt, even around other people, because her friends had all died. It is very sad to reach a stage where no one can understand how you lived or who you were, etc.] A long life is good, but it can be very sad if one is very alone like Mr. Flood.