The Alcoholic Isolation and Fall to Self-Destruction in Edwin Arlington Robinson’s “Mr. Flood’s Party”

Abstract

Edwin Arlington Robinson’s “Mr. Flood’s Party” has enchanted and delighted readers of poetry for decades. Perhaps its appeal lies in its poignant descriptions of the pains and frustrations of getting older; perhaps it has something to do with the poem’s remarkable viscerality; perhaps the poem is appreciated simply because it describes a rather sentimental interlude in the life of a lonely old bachelor who gets thoroughly soused while trudging home. I would suggest, however, that, while all these perspectives indicate a commendable appreciation for the piece, they do not take full account of its remarkable capacity to portray the overwhelming confusion that is integral with aging, alcoholism, and depression, most especially as that confusion has a direct relationship to the A.A. model of disease and addiction. In this regard, perhaps a detailed socio-critical explication might help us to appreciate the poem’s genius even further. At the same time, such an approach might also provide a more comprehensive perspective on the crippling effects of long-term, abusive drinking among senior citizens.¹