Journal 14 - Robinson

Journal #14 - E. A. Robinson Poems

Realism – The theory or practice in art and literature of fidelity to nature or to real life and to accurate representation without idealization of the most typical views, details, and surroundings of the subject.

Read the following poems and write a detailed description for each of the title characters and explain how each is an example of the “real” instead of the “ideal.”

“Richard Cory“ (497)

Richard Cory was rich and very well liked, but he wasn’t happy with his life. He presents himself in a good way and his outward appearance makes him seem admirable. However, his appearance is different than his reality. Although everyone else is happy with him, he isn’t happy with himself. He was depressed and upset, and didn’t see himself in the same way that everyone else saw him. He is a real character, not an ideal character, because he is not perfect. He would be happy, and his appearance and reality would match up if he was an ideal character.

“Miniver Cheevy” (497)

Miniver Cheevy wishes that he had a different life than he has. He wishes that he lived in the Middle Ages, and to compensate with that pain, he drinks excessively. Miniver was obsessed with romance and the mideval times, but he did not live in that time. He is trying to escape from reality with his Mideval fantasy. Miniver didn’t do anything with his life, because he is too busy being a daydreamer. He represents the “real” versus the “ideal” because his ideal would be to live in the past, which is not possible. He is real because he is unhappy with his current life, and he isn’t perfect. He feels that he was born too late, and all he does is think about how great his life would be if he was in the Middle Ages. His name is significant because it represents a minimal achiever.

“Mr. Flood’s Party” (498)

Mr. Flood is by himself, but he is pretending that he’s at a party. He is having a conversation with himself and acting like he is at a social gathering. He doesn’t have and family or friends, and he is completely alone. All his friends are gone, it doesn’t specify how or when, but he is left completely alone. He is making cheers and taking a drink for his past times. He is wrapped up in the past. Mr. Flood’s ideal is his past, but he is living in the present. He is lonely and wants to go back to the times when things were better. He is a lonely old man stuck in the present, and wants to relive his past times. His name is signifigant because “flood” usually refers to a liquid. Mr. Flood drinks to deal with his problems. The “flood” could also be a sign of a lot of tears, as he is missing his past times.