Journal 14

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)

It is about a man who everyone thinks has it all. He was looked at by everyone when he went in to town. He had the “ideal” life. He appreaed to have the “perfect life”. But really on the inside, he had all kinds of problems. Then, he ironically killed himself. A theme would be “don’t judge a book by its cover”. What’s on the surface isn’t always a reflection of what’s beneath the surface.

“Miniver Cheevy” (497)

He wishes he was born in a different time. Cheevy wanted to be born in medieval times. He likes romance stories with knights in shining armour and pretty ladies. He wishes to have been able to see the Medici clan. Because he couldn’t have a life like in the stories, he drank to be able to fantasize about it. He confused what was real with what was fiction. Minimal Acchiever.

“Mr. Flood’s Party” (498)

Eben is an alcoholic and drunk throughout the whole monologue. He was a pathetic mess off alone by himself. Eben was talking to himself like there was another there. He’s an old man and all of his friends have either died or left him. So now he drinks to think there are others there to keep him company. Most of his used to be friends, they are now considered strangers to him. Because of how he acts, he lost all of his frineds.