Realism in Robinson's "Richard Cory" and "Miniver Cheevy"

The two poems written by Edwin Arlington Robinson titled "Richard Cory" and "Miniver Cheevy" both display many characteristics of the Realism literary genre. Each focuses on one central character to depict life as it actually exists (Werlock). However, this fact is all too real and very unfortunate in these two depressing poems. "Richard Cory" tells of the seemingly wonderful life that Richard Cory had, but it appears that something had to give, and so he took his own life (Robinson "Richard" 575). Similarly, in "Miniver Cheevy," the protagonist, Cheevy, drinks his sorrows away about he wishes his life could have been maybe in a fantasy world of medieval times (Robinson "Miniver" 576). Robinson uses these two sad cases to illustrate some unfortunate facts of life, yet they are part of our human nature. This is a common technique used by realists of letting life appear as fact (Werlock). Just as well, Robinson uses language which is linked to Realism such as simple structure and rhyme, yet powerful words and meaning.

The figurative language used in each of these poems makes them all the more effective and emotionally powerful. Although Robinson uses simple rhyme in "Richard Cory" to create a sort of smoothly flowing dream world of a great man, this mood created by the simplicity becomes almost ironic, or startling rather in the end when Cory creates his own fate (Robinson"Richard" 575). This ABAB rhyme scheme is ordinary in Realism poetry because it sticks with the theme of simplicity and overall effectiveness (Barney). "Miniver Cheevy" shares these traits of Realism through figurative language, and it is just as impelling, yet it is a completely different story. This is simply another method utilized by Realism writers of poetry, depicting the story through a similarly bland writing style but with a differing strong message (Barney).

Robinson mainly focuses on basic, yet unfortunate, human nature in his two poems. Since the goal of Realism is to exemplify life as it truly happens (Werlock), Robinson chooses a darker, yet all too real, side of human nature. In "Richard Cory," Cory, the protagonist appears to be a man who has it all put together between nice clothes and gobs of money. However, his unhappiness is masked by the public's swooning and jealousy. He finally decides that people cannot appreciate for who he is, and so he ends his life (Robinson "Richard" 575). Sadly, this happens all too often that someone is really the polar opposite emotionally than what they appear because that is the only thing people are able to see. "Miniver Cheevy" is similar, but it takes place more solely in the mind of Cheevy. Robinson illustrates a man drinking his sorrows away in an attempt to ease his "disappointing" life (Robinson "Miniver"576). Again, this sort of tragedy happens all the time in which people cannot see the real good in their own lives, and all they can think about is how it should be better. Robinson's portrayal of these two lamentable realities experienced by many people today indubitably achieves the goal of Realism described earlier by Werlock of "depicting life as it actually exists" through his powerful messages written bluntly with simplicity.

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 14, 2011.

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

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

Werlock, Abby H. P. "realism." The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Feb 15, 2011.