Mr. Flood’s Party: A Cry For Help

Part I 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 ....

Part II of Essay
.... 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 unknowing battle against alcoholism. In stanza 7, line 47, Robinson refers to the tow moons, clearly s ....