Edwin Arlington Robinson – "Richard Cory" and "Miniver Cheevy"

Both of Edwin Arlington Robinson’s poems, “Miniver Cheevy” and “Richard Cory”, display many of the common characteristics associated with poetry in the genre of Realism. Each poem is about an individual person and their feelings and the actions that they take and how they affect their lives. These characters are average people rather than the amazing heroes that were popular as protagonists in many earlier genres of literature, and that helps them to become easier to relate to. Both of these poems use a very simple writing style to convey their thoughts, with rhyme schemes that are equally simply. These characteristics are then combined to create some of Edwin Robinson’s greatest poems that are excellent examples of the literary genre of Realism.

One of the most common characteristics among literature in the genre of Realism and its subgenres is the way that the protagonist is portrayed. Most often, the character is an average, middle-class person instead of an extraordinary hero (Barney and Patton). This is the way that each character is in both of Robinson’s poems. One specific difference is that Richard Cory is wealthier than the average person, but nonetheless he is still an average person (Robinson, “Richard”). Besides this difference in the characteristics of the protagonist, both are normal people and each poem concerns their normal lives.

Along with the main characters being average people, the subject concerning each character is their respective psychologies. “Richard Cory” describes how he is such a great man and there are others that are envious of his life, yet at the end of the poem he commits suicide without any specific reason given (Robinson, “Richard”). This could very well be a statement about how some people live their lives, while they are truly tortured by some sort of demon. “Miniver Cheevy” has a similar premise, but the character is not happy with his life and in the end only ends up drinking (Robinson, “Miniver”). Both of these works show different perspectives on how people feel about life. In one case, a character with a seemingly perfect life decides to kill himself, while another feels that his life is extremely bad and he resorts to drinking. This focus on the psychologies of the characters is a major part of a work of Realism (Quinn).

The simple language used in these two poems by Edwin Robinson is another characteristic of literature included in the genre of Realism. Both use very common diction to portray the strong thoughts and beliefs of the characters of each poem. Even the rhyme scheme of each is very simplistic, as there is an ABAB rhyme pattern for each stanza. Even though these poems use a simple writing style, each character still has a strong emotional presence in each respective story.

There are many characteristics of Realism literature used in Edwin Arlington Robinson’s two poems, “Richard Cory” and “Miniver Cheevy.” The major aspects of Realism are a simple writing style and a psychological focus on the protagonist, who is most commonly an average, middle-class character. The common thread between each character is that there is a lack of religion and this may be what caused the demise of each character. These characteristics can be seen in both of these poems that are great examples of Realism in poetry.


Works Cited

Barney, Brett, and Lisa Paddock, eds. "realism." Encyclopedia of American Literature: The Age of Romanticism and Realism, 1816–1895, vol. 2, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Online. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= EAmL0738&SingleRecord=True. February 15, 2011.

Quinn, Edward. "realism and naturalism in American literature." A Dictionary of Literary and Thematic Terms, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Online. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= Gfflithem0707&SingleRecord=True. February 15, 2011.

Robinson, Edwin Arlington. "Richard Cory." Glencoe American Literature. comp. Wilhelm, Jeffery. McGraw Hill. Columbus, OH. 2009. pg. 575.

Robinson, Edwin Arlington. "Miniver Cheevy." Glencoe American Literature. comp. Wilhelm, Jeffery. McGraw Hill. Columbus, OH. 2009. pg. 576.