critique essay about richard cory

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“Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson: A Critical Analysis

“Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson first appeared in 1897 in the collection The Children of the Night.

Introduction: “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson

Table of Contents

“Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson first appeared in 1897 in the collection The Children of the Night . The poem, one of Robinson’s most famous, is noted for its stark simplicity of language and form, which effectively underscores the tragic irony of the narrative. It tells the story of a wealthy, admired man who seemingly has everything, yet takes his own life, challenging readers’ assumptions about happiness and success. The poem’s enduring appeal lies in its exploration of the hidden depths of human despair, the deceptive nature of appearances, and the universal longing for connection and understanding.

Text: “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson

Whenever Richard Cory went down town,

We people on the pavement looked at him:

He was a gentleman from sole to crown,

Clean favored, and imperially slim.

And he was always quietly arrayed,

And he was always human when he talked;

But still he fluttered pulses when he said,

“Good-morning,” and he glittered when he walked.

And he was rich—yes, richer than a king—

And admirably schooled in every grace:

In fine, we thought that he was everything

To make us wish that we were in his place.

So on we worked, and waited for the light,

And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;

And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,

Went home and put a bullet through his head.

Annotations: “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson

Literary And Poetic Devices : “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson

Themes: “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson

• The Illusion of Happiness: The poem primarily focuses on the deceptive nature of appearances. Richard Cory is presented as the embodiment of success, with the townspeople viewing him as the epitome of happiness due to his wealth, charm, and social standing. The lines “clean favored, and imperially slim” and “glittered when he walked” create an image of perfection and allure. However, the shocking ending, “Went home and put a bullet through his head,” shatters this illusion, highlighting that material wealth and external appearances do not guarantee happiness.
• Social Disparity and Envy: The poem also explores the theme of social inequality. The “people on the pavement” represent the working class, who admire and envy Cory’s seemingly perfect life. The lines “we thought that he was everything/ To make us wish that we were in his place” underscore this yearning for a better life. Yet, the poem suggests that envy and comparison can be misleading, as Cory’s internal struggles remain hidden from the outside world.
• Isolation and Loneliness: Despite his outward charm and social interactions, Richard Cory’s suicide suggests a profound sense of isolation. The poem does not delve into his inner thoughts, but his actions imply a deep-seated loneliness and despair. The phrase “always quietly arrayed” may hint at a reserved nature that prevented him from forming genuine connections, ultimately leading to his tragic end.
• The Futility of Materialism : The poem critiques the pursuit of material wealth as the sole source of happiness. Richard Cory’s riches and possessions ultimately fail to fulfill him, leading to his demise. The lines “So on we worked, and waited for the light,/ And went without the meat, and cursed the bread” depict the townspeople’s struggle for basic necessities, contrasting sharply with Cory’s abundance. The poem implies that true happiness lies beyond material possessions, in genuine connections and inner peace.

Literary Theories and “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson

• Marxist Theory : A Marxist reading of “Richard Cory” would focus on the socioeconomic disparities between Richard Cory and the townspeople. Cory is presented as a symbol of the capitalist elite, “richer than a king,” while the townspeople are the exploited working class, “went without the meat, and cursed the bread.” The poem highlights the stark contrast between their lives, suggesting that Cory’s wealth is built upon their labor. However, the Marxist critique oversimplifies the poem’s message. Cory’s suicide complicates the narrative, suggesting that wealth doesn’t necessarily lead to happiness or fulfillment, challenging the idea that economic status is the sole determinant of well-being.
• Psychoanalytic Theory : A psychoanalytic approach might interpret Richard Cory’s suicide as a manifestation of repressed psychological trauma or a deep-seated existential crisis. The poem doesn’t explicitly reveal Cory’s inner life, but his outward perfection could be a mask concealing inner turmoil. The phrase “always quietly arrayed” may suggest a guarded personality, hinting at the suppression of emotions that ultimately lead to his tragic end. However, this interpretation relies on speculation about Cory’s psychology, as the poem offers no concrete evidence of his internal struggles.
• New Criticism / Formalism : A formalist reading would analyze the poem’s structure, language, and literary devices to derive meaning. The poem’s consistent ABAB rhyme scheme and iambic pentameter create a sense of order and predictability, mirroring the townspeople’s perception of Cory’s life. The sudden shift in the final stanza, with Cory’s suicide, disrupts this order, highlighting the unexpected nature of his actions. However, this approach might overlook the poem’s social commentary and the broader implications of Cory’s tragedy. It focuses solely on the text itself, neglecting the historical and cultural context that informs the poem’s meaning.

Critical Questions about “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson

• What is the significance of Richard Cory’s portrayal as a character?
• Edwin Arlington Robinson’s portrayal of Richard Cory as a seemingly perfect and enviable figure serves as a critique of societal perceptions of wealth and success. Cory is depicted as wealthy, cultured, and admired by those around him, yet his tragic end reveals the stark contrast between outward appearances and internal reality. This portrayal underscores Robinson’s commentary on the dangers of placing too much value on external markers of success without considering the complexities of a person’s inner life. By juxtaposing Cory’s admired status with his ultimate despair, Robinson prompts readers to reflect on the limitations of material wealth and the often-hidden burdens carried by individuals deemed successful in society.
• How does the use of irony contribute to the poem’s message?
• Irony plays a pivotal role in “Richard Cory,” fundamentally shaping the poem’s message about the disconnect between appearance and reality. Cory is initially presented as a flawless and admired figure, admired by all who encounter him. However, the poem’s concluding lines reveal the shocking truth of Cory’s suicide, turning the initial admiration into a profound irony. This irony highlights the superficiality of societal judgments based solely on external appearances and wealth. Robinson employs irony not merely for dramatic effect but to provoke deeper contemplation on the complexities of human existence and the limitations of outward success as a measure of happiness.
• What thematic contrasts are explored in the poem?
• “Richard Cory” explores several thematic contrasts that enrich its narrative depth. The most striking is the contrast between appearance and reality. Cory is depicted as the embodiment of success, wealth, and social admiration, yet his tragic end reveals the unseen struggles and emotional turmoil beneath his composed exterior. Another thematic contrast is between social classes and perceptions of happiness. While the townspeople envy Cory’s life and status, his ultimate act challenges the assumption that material wealth equates to fulfillment. Additionally, the poem contrasts the public persona of Cory with his private suffering, underscoring the disparity between outward appearances and inner reality.
• How does the poem’s structure enhance its thematic exploration?
• Robinson’s choice of a traditional quatrain form with an ABAB rhyme scheme and consistent meter contributes to the poem’s thematic exploration in several ways. The structured form initially mirrors the orderly and seemingly perfect life of Richard Cory himself. However, the rigid structure also serves as a stark contrast to the underlying tension and eventual disruption revealed in the poem’s conclusion. The regularity of the form underscores the facade of perfection maintained by Cory, while the abruptness of his tragic end disrupts the poem’s rhythmic flow, mirroring the disruption of societal norms and expectations. Thus, the poem’s structure not only enhances the narrative’s impact but also reinforces its thematic exploration of appearances versus realities and the fragility of human contentment.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson

Literary Works Similar to “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson

• “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar: This poem, like “Richard Cory,” explores the theme of hidden suffering behind a facade of normalcy, as individuals wear masks to conceal their pain from society.
• “ The Road Not Taken ” by Robert Frost: Although more focused on individual choices, this poem shares the thematic concern of the unseen aspects of life, as the speaker contemplates the paths not taken and the unknown possibilities they represent.
• “ Ozymandias ” by Percy Bysshe Shelley: Both poems reflect on the fleeting nature of power and glory, with Ozymandias’ crumbled statue serving as a stark reminder of the impermanence of human achievements.
• “ The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe: While darker in tone, this poem shares the element of a sudden and tragic end, as the raven’s presence symbolizes the speaker’s descent into despair and grief.
• “ Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night ” by Dylan Thomas: Both poems grapple with the theme of mortality, as the speakers urge defiance against death and a celebration of life, even in the face of darkness.

Suggested Readings: “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson

• Donaldson, Scott. Edwin Arlington Robinson: A Poet’s Life . Columbia University Press, 2007.
• Robinson, Edwin Arlington. The Children of the Night. Richard G. Badger & Company, 1897.
• Poetry Foundation. “Edwin Arlington Robinson.” Accessed 2 June 2023. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/edwin-arlington-robinson
• Gradesaver. “Richard Cory Study Guide.” Accessed 2 June 2023.

Representative Quotations of “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson

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Richard Cory Summary & Analysis by Edwin Arlington Robinson

• Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis
• Poetic Devices
• Vocabulary & References
• Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme
• Line-by-Line Explanations

"Richard Cory" first appeared in the American poet Edwin Arlington Robinson's 1897 collection, The Children of the Night . In four brisk stanzas, "Richard Cory" tells the story of a wealthy man who often strolls the streets of a poverty-stricken town whose residents all envy his seeming glory. Yet the poem's final line reveals that, despite seeming to have everything he could want, Cory kills himself. The poem's thematic interests in wealth, poverty, and the elusive nature of happiness are deeply tied to its historical context: a series of economic depressions that struck the U. S. in the 1890s.

• Read the full text of “Richard Cory”

The Full Text of “Richard Cory”

1 Whenever Richard Cory went down town,

2 We people on the pavement looked at him:

3 He was a gentleman from sole to crown,

4 Clean favored, and imperially slim.

5 And he was always quietly arrayed,

6 And he was always human when he talked;

7 But still he fluttered pulses when he said,

8 "Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.

9 And he was rich—yes, richer than a king—

10 And admirably schooled in every grace:

11 In fine, we thought that he was everything

12 To make us wish that we were in his place.

13 So on we worked, and waited for the light,

14 And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;

15 And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,

16 Went home and put a bullet through his head.

“Richard Cory” Summary

“richard cory” themes.

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

• See where this theme is active in the poem.

Wealth and Happiness

Envy vs. Admiration

Line-by-line explanation & analysis of “richard cory”.

Whenever Richard Cory went down town, We people on the pavement looked at him:

He was a gentleman from sole to crown, Clean favored, and imperially slim.

And he was always quietly arrayed, And he was always human when he talked;

But still he fluttered pulses when he said, "Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.

And he was rich—yes, richer than a king— And admirably schooled in every grace:

Lines 11-12

In fine, we thought that he was everything To make us wish that we were in his place.

Lines 13-14

So on we worked, and waited for the light, And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;

Lines 15-16

And Richard Cory, one calm summer night, Went home and put a bullet through his head.

“Richard Cory” Symbols

Meat and Bread

• See where this symbol appears in the poem.

“Richard Cory” Poetic Devices & Figurative Language

Alliteration.

• See where this poetic device appears in the poem.

End-Stopped Line

Polysyndeton, “richard cory” vocabulary.

Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.

• Clean favored
• Imperially slim
• See where this vocabulary word appears in the poem.

Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme of “Richard Cory”

Rhyme scheme, “richard cory” speaker, “richard cory” setting, literary and historical context of “richard cory”, more “richard cory” resources, external resources.

"Richard Cory" by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel — Watch a video of Simon and Garfunkel performing their 1966 song based on the poem. While the song closely follows the structure of the poem, including the last line, the lyrics also imagine more information about Cory's wealth (the son of a banker, Cory "owns one half of this town") and a backstory for the narrator (a worker in Cory's factory). Following Cory's suicide, the narrating worker, despondent in his own way, still expresses a desire to be like Richard Cory.

The Children of the Night — Check out The Children of the Night, Edwin Arlington Robinson's 1897 book of poetry in which "Richard Cory" first appeared.

Edwin Arlington Robinson's Life Story — Learn more about the life of the poet Edwin Arlington Robinson from the Poetry Foundation.

"Richard Cory," a Song by the 3D's — Check out folk group The Three D's 1964 setting of the poem. Unlike Simon and Garfunkel, this treatment of the song simply sets the complete text of the poem to music (although there is a creative interjection in the middle of the final line).

Dramatic Reading of "Richard Cory" — Watch this dramatic reading of "Richard Cory," presented by student Michelle Cheng.

LitCharts on Other Poems by Edwin Arlington Robinson

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Richard Cory

By Edwin Arlington Robinson

‘Richard Cory’ by Edwin Arlington Robinson is a simple poem which shows the chasm between perception and reality and warns the reader never to judge on appearances.

Edwin Arlington Robinson

Nationality: American

He won the first Pulitzer Prize in Poetry.

Poem Analyzed by Helen McClements

Teacher with a B.A. Joint Honours (English and French)

‘Richard Cory’ is a poem that shows why we should not judge people on appearances as it subverts our expectations in the final line. Regarding the structure and form, the poem is written in four quatrains written in iambic pentameter with a simple ABAB rhyme scheme . The language is straightforward though quietly stirring. The fact that the rhythm and rhyme are so consistent throughout makes the revelation at the end of stanza four all the more shocking. There is almost a conversational tone to the poem. The frequent use of ‘and’ adds to this effect, loading detail upon detail as the speaker tells the sorry tale of Richard Cory .

Take note of the following points before reading the poem:

• Observe the Contrast : Note the stark difference between Cory’s outward appearance and his inner reality.
• Pay Attention to Tone : Consider how the admiring, almost idolizing tone of the townspeople adds to the shock of the poem’s ending.
• Recognize Irony : Understand the irony in the townspeople’s envy of Cory, who, despite his wealth, is deeply unhappy.
• Consider Historical Context : Remember the economic struggles of the 1890s, which provide a backdrop to the townspeople’s hardships.
• Analyze Structure : Notice the consistent meter and rhyme scheme , which create a sense of normalcy disrupted by the final tragic twist.

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‘ Richard Cory’ tells the story of a wealthy and admired man who, despite his seemingly perfect life, unexpectedly commits suicide, highlighting the disparity between appearances and inner reality.

The poem the life of a man who is greatly envied by the townspeople for his wealth, grace, and mannerisms. From the perspective of the community, Cory embodies everything they desire and aspire to be. The townspeople work hard and endure a life of scarcity, all while idolizing Cory and wishing for his seemingly perfect life. However, the poem takes a dark turn in the final stanza, revealing that Richard Cory, despite his outward success and admiration, felt such deep inner turmoil that he ended his life. This startling conclusion underscores the poem’s central message: external appearances can be deceiving, and wealth and status do not guarantee happiness or inner peace.

Structure and Form

‘ Richard Cory ‘ is structured into four quatrains, with each stanza comprising four lines. This regular structure reinforces the poem’s steady, observational tone. The predictable form creates a sense of stability and routine, which starkly contrasts with the unexpected and shocking conclusion of Richard Cory’s suicide.

The poem employs consistent iambic pentameter , with each line containing five iambic feet (unstressed- stressed syllable pattern). Along with this, the rhyme scheme is a consistent ABAA,. This regular meter and rhyme scheme mirrors the steady rhythm of everyday life in the town and the community’s ongoing admiration for Cory, emphasizing the shock of his sudden death.

Analysis, Stanza by Stanza

First stanza.

Whenever Richard Cory went down town, We people on the pavement looked at him: He was a gentleman from sole to crown, Clean-favoured, and imperially slim.

This is our introduction to the eponymous character, Richard Cory. He is held in great esteem by the townspeople. This is clear as he attracts their attention for they ‘looked at him’ and noted that “He was a gentleman from sole to crown’. The final line of this stanza suggests that he was a morally upright fellow, and the adjective ‘imperially’ implies that he carries a sense of grace and regality about his person.

Second Stanza

And he was always quietly arrayed, And he was always human when he talked; But still he fluttered pulses when he said, “Good Morning!” and he glittered when he walked.

The repetition of ‘And he was always’ shows consistency and warmth of character. The fact that ‘he was always human’ indicates his sincerity. Despite his wealth and good looks, he talked to people without condescension or pretension. However, this does not stop him from causing a stir when he wishes them “Good Morning!” The exclamation mark suggests that he has a genuine pleasure in meeting others. The verb ‘glittered’ is ambiguous as it hints at both his sparkling personality , but in the literal sense, it could be his watch or other accouterments that glint when they catch the sunlight.

Although he was ‘quietly arrayed’ there was something intoxicating about his person which meant that as he passed he ‘fluttered pulses’. We have the immediate image of young ladies catching their breaths and fanning themselves as he passed, and the men looking on wistfully, wishing that they possessed something of his wealth and charm.

Third Stanza

And he was rich — yes, richer than a king — And admirably schooled in every grace: In fine, we thought that he was everything To make us wish that we were in his place.

After suggesting that he came from a monied background, we are now informed that this was indeed the case, and the dashes in the line serve to emphasize the point. The assertion ‘yes’ and the comparative line ‘richer than a king’ snare the interest of the reader. We wonder how this man has made his fortune and picture some dashing Gatsby-like character. However, unlike Jay Gatsby who rose to wealth through illegal means such as gambling and bootlegging, Richard Cory appears to have acquired his riches through hereditary means, by the reference to a king, or perhaps through business.  A doubt is sown in our minds in line three of this stanza where the speaker states ‘We thought that he was everything’. This alerts us to the fact that all may not be well, and also reminds us of the old adage , ‘be careful what you wish for.’ The final monosyllabic line with its frequent alliteration propels us along to the poem’s conclusion.

Fourth Stanza

So on we worked, and waited for the light, And went without the meat, and cursed the bread; And Richard Cory, one calm summer night, Went home and put a bullet through his head.

In this stanza, the speaker alludes to the difficulties faced by the other inhabitants of the town. The ‘so’ at the beginning almost carries a sigh, to suggest fatigue and hardship. There is an obvious discrepancy between the life led by the gentleman, Richard Cory, and the people who look up to him. While he ‘allegedly’ enjoys the good life, the others struggle. This is conveyed through the long drawn-out assonance and the repeated ‘w’ sounds in the first two lines of the stanza. They have insufficient money even to have access to the most basic of goods since they ‘went without the meat and cursed the bread’, which was obviously of poor quality and lacking in nourishment. Even the word ‘cursed’ stands out here, as it seems ill-fitting after the descriptions of Cory.

There is thus a disparity between their lives and that of Cory, except they are not alone in their suffering. Such are his demons, that he shocks them all, by returning home from one of his strolls in town ‘and put a bullet through his head’. The reader is left speechless by this revelation, and the fact that this event is preceded by the line ‘one calm summer night’ further compounds their shock.

We are left wondering what on earth could have preempted the suicide of a man who appeared to have everything, including the respect of the townspeople.

About Edwin Arlington Robinson

Edwin Arlington Robinson , (1869-1935) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet who was also nominated for the Nobel Prize for literature. He was born in Maine but had an unhappy childhood since his parents seemed largely indifferent to him. His siblings went on to suffer great hardship through addiction to alcohol and drugs, and Robinson’s poetry often dwelt on bleak themes, perhaps based on these first-hand experiences. Many think that the poem ‘Richard Cory’  could have been based upon his brother who came to an inauspicious end when his business collapsed.

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Central Message: Outward wealth and success often conceal inner suffering

Speaker: The collective voice of envious townspeople.

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McClements, Helen. "Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson". Poem Analysis , https://poemanalysis.com/edwin-arlington-robinson/richard-cory/ . Accessed 28 September 2024.

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Analysis of Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson

Edwin Arlington Robinson, (1869-1935) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet who was also nominated for the Nobel prize for literature. He was born in Maine but had an unhappy childhood since his parents seemed largely indifferent to him. His poetry often dwelt on bleak themes, perhaps based on these first-hand experiences. Richard Cory is a short dramatic poem about a man whose outward appearance veils his inner turmoil. The setting may be Tilbury Town in Maine which was the setting of many of his poems. However, many think that the poem ‘Richard Cory’ could have been based upon his brother who came to an inauspicious end when his business collapsed.

Title: The name Richard Cory appears to allude to England’s King Richard I, who earned the name Richard Coeur de Lion (Richard the Lion-Hearted) for his valiant fighting in the Crusades. The name is attributed to the person in the poem to attribute him kingly characteristics.

Theme: Appearances is deceiving/ Money can’t buy happiness.

Tone: Conversational (frequent use of and)

Narration: 1 st person narration. (we - the people of the town are the poem's speakers, working-class citizens who has little materialistic pleasures.)

Structure: written in four quatrains and iambic pentameter with a simple ABAB rhyme scheme.

Main literary technique: irony

Reading between lines.

Whenever Richard Cory went downtown, We people on the pavement looked at him; He was a gentleman from sole to crown, Clean favored, and imperially slim.

Symbol: crown (king) attributed Richard Cory kingly characteristics.

English term: Pavement (pavement is the British Term for sidewalk)

Alliteration: Whenever, went/ people on the pavement

Visual imagery: clean favored and imperially slim

Use of Past Tense: suggests that this is a past story and Richard Cory no longer exists.

Conversational language: we people

Richard Cory is introduced by the people on the pavement. People in the pavement suggests the poor life condition of the speakers. Comparing to them, they see Richard Cory as a royal figure. He seems to be like an idol or a celebrity to them. The royal or kingly words used to describe him like: c rown, imperially reveals the attitude of the onlookers about Richard Cory. The final two lines of this stanza suggests that he was a morally upright fellow who carries such a royal grace in his appearance.

And he was always quietly arrayed, And he was always human when he talked; But still he fluttered pulses when he said, ‘Good-morning!’ and he glittered when he walked.

Anaphora: and he was always (shows his consistency of his good qualities)

Assonance: fluttered pulses

Visual imagery: glittered (it may be his golden watches and necklaces that glitter)

Metaphor: he was always human (to attribute of good qualities that a good human possesses)

People on the pavement regularly waits to see his gentle acquaintance which he produces consistently. They feel a triumphant-shiver when Richard Cory addresses them which is like a celebrity or somebody royal comes to them and speaks with them. People may be attributing divinity to him by the words ‘he glittered’  

And he was rich - yes, richer than a king --- And admirably schooled in every grace: In fine, we thought that he was everything To make us wish that we were in his place.

Anaphora: and (conversational; shows their excitement when describing him)

Contrast: richer than a king (exaggerating his wealth)

Alliteration: wish, we were (create a sound effect like sighing)

Richard Cory was the role model of the people on the pavement. For them he was the ultimate goal to reach – both richness and virtue. However, the final two lines creates doubts in the reader; by the phrase: ‘ we thought he was everything’ It is hinted that what they thought was not the truth, that he was not the perfect one.

So on we worked, and waited for the light, And went without the meat, and cursed the bread; And Richard Cory, one calm summer night, Went home and put a bullet through his head.

Metaphor: light (hope for a better life)

Alliteration: went without (sighing sound)

Euphemism: put a bullet through his head (suicided)

Anaphora: and (shows hesitation)

Symbol: meat and bread (meat for richness or royalty and bread for poverty or poor life condition)

A common reality is brought through the struggle of the poor to lead a better life. They follow a role model and try to strive to be somebody like him, and during the course they do not value what they actually have - as they always compare things with what they dream to consume. To everyone’s surprise, the perfect idol of everyone suicides himself for an unknown reason. Everyone is left wondering what on earth could have preempted the suicide from a man who appeared to have everything, including the respect of the townspeople.

This reveals another reality of life: that we cannot judge a book by its cover. In a world of uncertainty, nothing is perfect. Nobody can be judgmental about others. A person’s life is like an ice burg, one can see only the tip of it. Similarly, Richard Cory might have been leading a miserable life which he could not openly show. His struggle to manage his life of duality might have suffocated him to take such a decision.

You may also like to read about another perspective of the poem: Richard Cory, Expectations vs Reality here.

What is your idea of the poem? Let’s share them in the comment section. Share the post if you find this useful to others.

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Post a comment, 12 comments.

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Thank You for the analysis and the details.

Thanks, happy you find it useful.

the term 'suicided' is wrong, committed suicide is the correct term.

Thanks. Sometimes it is used as suicided too.

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Worldly Image and Inner Reality in Robinson’s “Richard Cory” Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
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‘Ricard Cory’ is a paradoxical poem which raises the popular issue of worldly image and inner reality. Depicting the difficult times of the economic depression in 1893, the poem shows the plight of the commoners who could not afford to meat and had to be content eating bread.

The traditional verse style juxtaposed with the simple language used by Arlington is typical of American literary modernism. The theme of the poem fits it perfectly in the genre of American Modern poetry which aims at destroying the traditional myths held by society in general. The poem has a universal appeal and even though it was written so many years ago, continues to be appropriate in today’s times.

The subject is modern and is valid even today. In modern times when wealth is equated with happiness, the poem destroys the myth that being rich can be equated with being happy. Arlington’s poem Richard Cory is a modern attempt by the poet to “scatter conventional taboos” (Perkins & Perkins 130).

Richard Cory who is a wealthy and powerful gentleman, commits suicide despite the luxuries he enjoys. The poet remarkably presents the case that money and power do not guarantee inner peace and happiness. The poem is an interesting account of the rich and famous Richard Cory who is envied by the poor townspeople.

He is stylish and elegant and has all the riches in the world to keep him happy. The towns people are floored by his personality and adore his good looks. Not only do they admire his physical traits but also his kindness reflected in his manners which were “always human when he talked” ( Richard Cory , line 6).

Richard Cory is a gentleman from “soul to crown” with his “clean-favored and imperially slim” ( Richard Cory, line 3 & 4) persona which “fluttered pulses” when he greeted people humanely ( Richard Cory , line 7). The narrator is so much in awe of Richard Cory that he thinks he is “richer than a king” with his perfect “grace” ( Richard Cory , line 9,10).

The townspeople considered him ideal in every way and desired strongly to be “in his place” ( Richard Cory , line 12). Richard Cory was deemed a superior being by the people of the town that they simply adored him in every way.

However, ironically, while the entire town admired Richard Cory and strongly desired to be in his place, one night Richard Cory “went home and put a bullet in his head” ( Richard Cory , line 16). While he appeared to have all the riches in the world, he was spiritually hollow. He was apparently not as calm as visible on the exterior. His calm and poised exterior were a contrast with his unhappy and the stormy mental state.

In the poem, Arlington juxtaposes two important elements, worldly wealth and spiritual happiness. While Richard Cory had all the luxuries, he lacked inner peace, happiness and content. Externally he was the object of envy while internally he was depressed and sad. The poem presents the severe reality that richness and grandeur are certainly not indicators of happiness and spiritual peace.

The song is based on the poem Richard Cory. The theme is identical and majority of the song is similar to the poem. However, there are few changes to add more punch to it. In keeping with the modern times, the singer has added that Richard Cory was powerful due to his political connections.

Also, in the original poem, there are no yacht parties which are common to the rich and famous people in todays times. There are some omissions from the original poem which depict Richard Cory as a quiet gentleman, whereas in the song he is shown to be a flamboyant man enjoying his wealth and riches. It is obvious that modifications to the song have been made to depict the character of the modern man today.

Works Cited

Perkins, George, & Barbara, Perkins. The American Tradition in Literature, Volume II. 12 th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. 2007. Print.

Robinson, Edwin Arlington. “ Richard Cory .” Print.

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IvyPanda . 2019. "Worldly Image and Inner Reality in Robinson's "Richard Cory"." April 16, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/richard-cory-by-edwin-arlington-robinson-2/.

1. IvyPanda . "Worldly Image and Inner Reality in Robinson's "Richard Cory"." April 16, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/richard-cory-by-edwin-arlington-robinson-2/.

Bibliography

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Analysis of Richard Cory

This essay will provide an analysis of the poem “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson. It will discuss the poem’s themes of appearances versus reality, social class, and the elusive nature of happiness, and how they contribute to the poem’s ironic ending. Additionally, PapersOwl presents more free essays samples linked to American Literature.

How it works

The poem “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson is a very impacting poem. The poem is about a man named Richard, he was a very rich man, very good looking, everyone wanted to be him. One summer night Richard committed suicide. This man that seemed to have it all, didn’t want to live his life. The working class watched him every day, thinking about how bad they wanted to be him. They thought Richard had it all because he had money, thinking there was no way this man could be unhappy.

But they were horribly wrong. In this unexpected poem, Robinson uses each stanza to enhance his main idea. Robinson’s poem portrays that those outward appearances are not always what they seem.

In stanza one, Robinson uses different literary devices to show that the people of lower-class thought Richard Cory was like a king. He uses alliteration, “Whenever Richard Cory went downtown / We people on the pavement looked at him:” (L 1-2). This alliteration was used to emphasize just how different Richard was from all of them. Richard did not live in the same town as these working people, as it is told to us in line one “Whenever Richard Cory went downtown” (L1). Whenever, he went downtown, meaning that Richard did not live in the same town as the working class. But when he did go downtown, the people stared at who they thought was like a king. In lines three and four, Robinson gives more of an introduction on the main character, Richard. Robinson uses imagery to give an idea of what Richard looks like, “He was a gentleman from sole to crown, Clean favored, and imperially slim.” (L 3-4). The final line of this stanza suggests that he was a morally upright fellow, and the word ‘imperially’ implies that he carries a sense of grace and regality about his person. Overall this stanza helps emphasize the difference between the working people and the rich guy, Richard. To the people, this man was like a king.

In stanza two, Robinson gives us a look at how Richard was as a person. “And he was always quietly arrayed / and he was always human when he talked;” (L 5-6), the repetition of “And he was always”, shows the consistency and warmth of Richard. “He was always human when he talked” these words inline six shows that Richard talked to the lower class with respect. He never made them feel any less than he was, this shows the type of humility Richard had despite his wealth and good looks. More of this stanza contributes to the idea that everyone wanted to be him, “But still he fluttered pulses” (L7), this line automatically gives the reader a picture of Richard walking past people, having young ladies catch their breath and young gentlemen wishing to be him. All this contributing to the idea that not everything is what it seems.

Robinson continues this idea in stanza 3, where he emphasizes once again that Richard Cory was so rich and amazing that everyone wanted his place, everyone wanted to be him. Robison really likes to show how much the people envied Richard, and how bad everyone wanted his amazing life, or what seemed an amazing life. In stanza three, Robison states “yes, richer than a king —” (L9), the assertive “yes” and the metaphor “richer than a king” really catches the reader’s attention. These lines keep contributing to the idea that Richard Cory’s life seemed to be so amazing, he was so rich and had everything he ever wanted, how could he not be happy? In lines eleven and twelve it reads “In fine, we thought that he was everything – To make us wish that we were in his place”. Again, Robison is letting it be known that the working class wished to have Richard’s life. But also, it gives the first insight to thinking that everything was not as great as it seemed, “In fine, we thought he was everything”, the words “thought” and “was” gives the reader an instant feeling that something big was coming, something did not seem right.

As the poem continues to flow, the reader comes across the difficulties of the working class in stanza four. In lines thirteen and fourteen Robinson talks about the struggles the working class faced to further enhance the idea of why they wanted to be Richard. There is a big difference between life led by Richard Cory and the life led by the people who looked up to him. “So, on we worked and waited for the light” (L13). They continued to work and struggle to get enough money to survive. “And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;”, and even though they continued to work, they still didn’t have enough. Even the word ‘cursed’ stands out here, as it seems ill-fitting after the descriptions of Richard. While Richard allegedly enjoyed his good life, with his piles of money and good looks. Robinson was extremely smart on how he continued to enhance how bad these poor people wanted to have Richard’s life. They wanted so bad to be him, they wanted his money, they wanted everything he had. Richard had the easy life, he didn’t have to work or go without food. Richard didn’t have to worry about anything.

In lines fifteen and sixteen we learn that Richard took his own life. Robison uses irony in these last two sentences “And Richard Cory, one calm summer night, went home and put a bullet through his head.” (L15-16) In these lines, we see the irony, which is a huge part of this poem. The irony of a rich man who was supposed to have everything he wanted taking his own life. No one would think of taking their own lives on a beautiful summer night. Especially not Richard Cory, the man that had it all. While the workers were wishing to be him, Richard seemed to be suffering in silence. The poem never mentions any family, or friends for Richard, the poem itself takes a step into showing that Richard’s loneliness leads him to take his own life. Richard Cory had it all, all the money, the glory, the good looks. Everything anyone has ever wanted but being lonely is a hard thing to go through. All the money in the world could not make a lonely person happy.

Richard Cory was the man to be, he had all the money others wanted, he had all the looks that men would die for and that took every woman’s breath away. But it seems Richard was missing something, Richard was not happy. Everyone wished to be him, without knowing what his life was really like. Everyone thought that because he had all the materialistic things and the perfect looks, that he was almost obligated to be happy. But in the end the people are left with great confusion, the guy they thought was like a king, did not want his life any longer, to the point where he decided to end it. People that day learned, that outward appearances are not always what they seem.  

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Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson: Summary and Critical Analysis

The jewellery he wore would shine brightly. He was richer than a king. He was trained in every kind of polite behavior. The speaker was jealous of him and wished that he had been Richard Cory. The working class people would work hard but they could afford only bread, not meat.

They heard that one night Richard Cory went home and shot himself dead. 'Richard Cory' is a character sketch of a legendary character who lived in the poet’s native town of Gardiner, Maine. This modern American poem quietly exposes the irony of a rich gentleman’s life. Cory was the only son of an extremely rich merchant who ‘owned’ almost half the place. He was everyone’s ideal and dream. But he killed himself suddenly, without apparent reason. The incident has become the subject matter of other poets also, but Robinson’s viewpoint and the meaning is unique. Irony is the main feature in the poem.

The narrator of the poem seems to be one of the workers in some of Richard Cory’s factories. He is among the poor people who looked at Cory in amazement as he went downtown. He describes the gentleman with exaggeration which is almost absurd. This tells how highly these poor people regarded by him. As the narrator describes, Richard Cory was a gentleman ‘from sole to crown.’ This is an indirect comparison with a king. He then adds that he was “imperially slim”. Of course, he was “richer than a king.” He was “clean favored” and “human” when he talked. He was trained in “every grace”. In short, this man made everyone wish that they were in his place. But the irony is that he “went home and put a bullet through his head.” There was no reason that the poor people could see. Probably, he was unhappy. He was depressed. He was tired of life itself. Perhaps his status did not allow him to speak out. Perhaps he was burdened with inarticulate grief and worries.

Richard Cory is basically an ironic poem. It deals with the irony that rich people are not happy with their life, and the poor think that wealth is the guarantee of happiness. Richard Cory, the character, is also an individual who represents the irony of modern American life.

The poem develops in such a way as to suddenly expose the irony of all its overstatement until near its end. In the first three stanzas of the poem, we are given the impression that Richard Cory is a man who has all what he wants from life and is completely satisfied. The exaggerated descriptions of his appearance, wealth, personality, and even slimness sound as if Cory’s life is an example of perfection. Only that we are a bit puzzled by the uncommon wording and expressions. Some expressions are somewhat absurd and we fail to make sense out of them. But we are still under the impression that it is because the speaker doesn’t know the proper words to express the high appreciation he has about Richard Cory. Suddenly, in the last two lines of the poem we see that Richard Cory’s life was different from what it appeared. It is clear that he had been living with a suicidal depression. All the appreciation of wealthier life, great personality, and all the big words given to describe Richard Cory now tell us a striking irony. The exaggeration in all that description adds to the irony, the irony that material possession and fine appearance don’t ensure happiness and peace of mind. We now rather begin to doubt whether the speaker is only a simple man who doesn’t know the right words to describe. We now feel that he is using absurd words to indicate the absurdity of the apparent perfection and happiness of Richard Cory. After we learn that he commits suicides without any good reason we now begin to search for a probable reason from the preceding stanzas. His slimness (stanza1), quietness and fluttering and glittering (stanza2), his being richer than a king and his enviably perfect manners (stanza3) all become ironic in the light of the fact that none of them were making his personal life happy and satisfying. The speaker thought that poor people are the only sufferers in life, as if poverty is the only problem in life. Now we see that it is a foolish idea. Happiness is not a matter of being rich or powerful. To have a high status, a lot of money or to be popular are no guarantees of happy life. This in general, is the theme of the irony; it is also an irony about the material prosperity of the modern American.

There is also another more general irony about human beings. The speaker also says that they did not eat the bread they could get and they went without the meant that they could not get. They cursed the bread they could get! This is an irony; those who get something like something else, something better, and those who do not get it are dreaming of it, somewhere.

The poem Richard Cory by Robinson has also been described as a modern ballad by some critics. It is in simple four line stanzas and a rhyming scheme as abab. It is tragic and has a moral. It is also dramatic in a sense that it is a thought-provoking compressed little story.

Related Topics

Miniver Cheevy: Summary and Analysis

Edwin Arlington Robinson: Biography

Richard Cory

Whenever Richard Cory went down town, We people on the pavement looked at him: He was a gentleman from sole to crown, Clean favored, and imperially slim. And he was always quietly arrayed, And he was always human when he talked; But still he fluttered pulses when he said, “Good-morning,” and he glittered when he walked. And he was rich—yes, richer than a king— And admirably schooled in every grace: In fine, we thought that he was everything To make us wish that we were in his place. So on we worked, and waited for the light, And went without the meat, and cursed the bread ; And Richard Cory, one calm summer night , Went home and put a bullet through his head.

Summary of Richard Cory

Analysis of literary devices used in “richard cory”, analysis of poetic devices used in “richard cory”, quotes to be used.

“And he was always quietly arrayed, And he was always human when he talked; But still he fluttered pulses when he said, “Good-morning,” and he glittered when he walked.”

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Edwin Arlington Robinson’s “Richard Cory”- Formalist Criticism Example

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