Edwin Arlington Robinson Summary

Biography EssayOne of the most prolific major American poets of the twentieth century, Edwin Arlington Robinson is, ironically, best remembered for only a handful of short poems. Aside from a few that... Read more

One of the most prolific major American poets of the twentieth century, Edwin Arlington Robinson is, ironically, best remembered for only a handful of short poems. Aside from a few that he complained ... Read more

In the following essay, Moore favorably reviews The Man Who Died Twice. Throughout Mr Robinson's work, one feels his admiration for “courage that is not all flesh recklessness.” T... Read more

In the following essay, Blumenthal focuses on “New England,” “Dear Friends,” “Doctor of Billiards,” and “Richard Cory” in a discussion of Robins... Read more

In the following essay, Pack discusses humor in the poetry of Robinson and Thomas Hardy. I E. A. Robinson is the American inheritor of Thomas Hardy's unusual gift for the creation of dramas wit... Read more

In the following essay, Hall presents an appreciative overview of Robinson's life and works. In 1869, Edwin Arlington Robinson was born in the village of Head Tide in Maine, third son and final... Read more

In the following essay, Trachtenberg discusses Robinson's response to the democratic ideals expressed in the poetry of Walt Whitman. At certain moments in mid-career Edwin Arlington Robinson ch... Read more

In the following essay, originally published in 1954, Coxe identifies strengths in Robinson's poetry that place him among the most important American poets of the twentieth century. To the cont... Read more

In the following essay, Cambon outlines the main characteristics of Robinson's poetry, particularly noting the unique aspects that set him apart from his contemporaries. The gentleman from Gard... Read more

In the following essay, originally published in 1970, Howe praises what he considers sincerity and honesty in Robinson's poetry and discusses his lack of appeal among modern readers. The centen... Read more

In the following essay, Lucas offers an appreciative overview of Robinson's poetry, particularly expressing admiration for his portrayals of ordinary characters. When Edwin Arlington Robinson d... Read more

In the following essay, Kart adds to Jerome Kavka's psychoanalytic reading of “Richard Cory,” (see above), asserting that Cory is an artist who does not find an outlet. (The follo... Read more

In the following essay, Garvin advocates a fresh and careful rereading of “Richard Cory,” as well as of other poems whose impact has been blunted by fame. Famous poems have a ready-made ... Read more

In the following excerpt, Garvin elaborates on his earlier ideas about “Richard Cory” in the course of discussing a new method of criticism. Garvin stresses the importance of Robinson&#x... Read more

In the following essay, Clifton reports on her use of Robinson's poem “Richard Cory” together with the Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel song of the same title, to help high school stu... Read more

In the following essay, Sweet proposes that “Richard Cory” be read as a parable in which envious townspeople simultaneously reject and idealize the wealthy Cory, heightening his isolatio... Read more

"Night Mother" and "Richard Cory" are two pieces that both deal with suicide. The characters in both are so different, yet at the same time, very much alike. Both contain a lot of surprises and e... Read more