Edwin Arlington Robinson’s use of language and imagery affects the meaning of “<em>Aunt Imogen.</em>”
One example of language would be “<em>Happy to know that she was back once more / Where there were those who knew her, and at last / Had gloriously got away again.</em>” 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 “<em>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</em>” 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.