Question

Discuss how Edwin Arlington Robinson’s use of language and imagery affects the meaning of “Aunt Imogen.” Cite evidence from the poem to support your position. Your response should be at least two hundred words.

Answer 1

The use of language and imagery that Edwin Arlington Robinson uses in his poem "Aunt Imogen" helps to create and shape the tone of the poem and add a deeper meaning. One example of imagery would be " That looked across the fields; and Imogen / Gazed out with a girl’s gladness in her eyes, / Happy to know that she was back once more / Where there were those who knew her, and at last / Had gloriously got away again." The language and descriptions that Robinson gives of this particular moment create a sense of wonder and happiness. It shows Aunt Imogen as being joyful and content, enjoying the view from the window and having fun. The language he uses also eludes to a beautiful view, giving the audience a sense of what it must be like to look out of that window. Robinson as uses imagery and language to show some of the more serious aspects of the poem, such as Aunt Imogen's internal struggles. " There was the feminine paradox—that she / Who had so little sunshine for herself / Should have so much for others. How it was / That she could make, and feel for making it, / So much of joy for them, and all along / Be covering, like a scar, and while she smiled" This description shows that Aunt Imogen is more than just a simple woman and that she has struggles of her own. This description changes the way that the audience and readers view the character of Aunt Imogen.

Answer 2

Edwin Arlington Robinson’s use of language and imagery affects the meaning of “Aunt Imogen.”

One example of language would be “Happy to know that she was back once more / Where there were those who knew her, and at last / Had gloriously got away again.” Robinson may have done this to make the poem more relatable to the readers. Nevertheless, Robinson makes this moment slightly dichotomous for the readers by having Aunt Imogen being happy, thereby making the readers feel happy for her, but also somewhat sad that she feels it necessary to hide how she feels from her family.

An example of imagery would be “There was the feminine paradox—that she / Who had so little sunshine for herself / Should have so much for others. How it was / That she could make, and feel for making it, / So much of joy for them, and all along / Be covering, like a scar, and while she smiled” Most of the readers probably understand the feeling of putting on a false face for the benefit of others or themselves; Therefore making this imagery easily imagined and relatable as well.

These excerpts show how most people, even those that she called her family, truly knew her and understood her. They often just perceived whatever she put on the surface as being true, and thereby believing her to be happy and joyful all the time rather than having her own internal issues.

To really know someone, you must look further than just face value and how they seem to be on the inside.  To know yourself is more or less the same thing. You have to be intimately familiar with your emotions and the works of your mind in order to absolutely and accurately know who you are as a character.