The Companion by Edwin Arlington Robinson
The poem declares that a man’s words, however clever, charming, or soothing, cannot destroy the doubt created when he lied and she laughed. He may try to alter her perceptions, teaching her that all seasons and sheltered paths are alike, but doubt will remain with her wherever she goes.
By Edwin Arlington Robinson · First published 1916 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Love Poetry, Psychological Poetry · 118 words
First lines
LET him answer as he will, / Or be lightsome as he may, / Now nor after shall he say
Worn-out words enough to kill, / Or to lull down by their craft,
Doubt, that was born yesterday, / When he lied and when she laughed.
Let him find another name
What this Textopian page supports
The Companion is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson, dated 1916 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edwin Arlington Robinson
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Love Poetry, Psychological Poetry, Symbolist Poetry, Dramatic Lyric
- Length: 118 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
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- Work identity for The Companion by Edwin Arlington Robinson
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is a brief, musical, stanzaic poem focused on concentrated emotional expression rather than narrative development.
- Love Poetry — Its central situation concerns a man and a woman whose laughter, lies, persuasion, and lingering distrust suggest a damaged romantic relationship.
- Psychological Poetry — The poem examines doubt as an enduring mental and emotional condition that remains despite rhetorical reassurance or instruction.
- Symbolist Poetry — Images such as starlight on snow, changing seasons, sheltered ways, and doubt's dwelling operate symbolically to express emotional alienation and distrust.
Tags
poetry · American literature · modernist poetry · lyric poetry · psychological insight · melancholy · isolation · human nature · mortality · alienation · introspection · emotional conflict