1. A good introduction to Mr. Robinson's work is Miss Lowell's review of
his _Collected Works_, in the _Dial_, 72 ('22): 130. Although Miss
Lowell's contention that Mr. Robinson is our greatest living poet would
be disputed by some critics, her article suggests many points of
departure in the study of his very important contribution to American
poetry.
2. Divide Mr. Robinson's work into two groups: (1) poems of which the
material is based upon literature; (2) those of which it comes from his
own life experience. Is it possible to say now which of these two groups
has the best chance of long endurance? Can you decide how far literature
has had a good effect upon Mr. Robinson's work, and how far it has
lessened the value of his poetry?
3. Consider as a group the poems that grow out of Mr. Robinson's New
England origin. In what ways is he characteristic of New England?
Compare his work with that of Mr. Frost in this respect.
4. Compare and contrast Mr. Robinson's portraits of persons with names as
titles with similar portraits in the _Spoon River Anthology_. This type
of verse seems to have been developed independently by both poets.
5. An interesting study could be made of the influence on Robinson of
Crabbe; another, of the influence of Hardy.
6. Another interesting study might grow out of the consideration of
Robinson as a poet born twenty years too soon. How much has the temper of
his work been determined by the fact that he had to wait so long for
recognition?
7. What are the main features of Mr. Robinson's philosophy as suggested
in the poems?
8. Can you find many poems that sing? What is to be said of the poet's
mastery of rhythms?
9. After reading the best of Mr. Robinson's work, it is interesting to
look up the comments of various admirers of it published on the occasion
of his fiftieth birthday, in the _New York Times_, December 21, 1919, or
the quotations from this article in _Poetry_, 15 ('20): 265, and to see
how far your judgment bears out these extravagant statements.
10. The influence of Robinson's work on younger American poets,
especially on Lindsay and Sandburg, makes an interesting study.