Part 1 of Essay
Edwin Arlington Robinson utilizes his hometown of Gardiner Maine as the setting for many of his poem. He also effectively uses it in his dramatic poem, “Mr. Flood’s Party”. Robinson’s theme for “Mr. Flood’s Party” is that of a man, perhaps Robinson himself, who at one time had great aspiration and high achievements, all t ....

Part 2 of Essay
.... passage of time. At this point Flood appears near the end of his rope. The jug Robinson refers to in line 14, “The jug that he had gone so far to fill,” is symbolic of Flood’s life accomplishments. Robinson also speaks of “A valiant armor of scarred hopes outworn,” stanza 4, line 18 symbolizing his once strong-willed ambitions and how they now appear lost to him. The reference to Roland’s ghost in line 20 and its comparison to Flood’s struggle symbolizes his loneliness and futile cries for help with his unknowi ....