Similarities Between Richard Cory And The Great Gatsby

The saying “do not judge a book by its cover” is true because appearances can often be deceiving. A person can easily act calm, cool, and collected, but in reality feel like their world is falling apart. In both the poem “Richard Cory” and the book The Great Gatsby, Richard Cory and Gatsby both appear to be well put together gentlemen with an ideal lifestyle. However taking a look below the surface it’s easy to see that this is only a clever façade to mask their true feelings. In both works irony is the main literary element which proves that appearances can be deceiving. Gatsby lived a luxurious lifestyle and his parties were the envy of everyone. People who didn’t even know him would make desperate attempts to receive an invitation to these extravagant parties. However what no one knew was the reason behind the festivities. Gatsby’s true purpose in life was to win the love of Daisy. He worked hard to attain his wealth through corrupt practices and eventually received a status worthy of recognition. After finally realizing all of this still wasn’t enough it was inevitable for him to die like his dream. Gatsby had to die because he had no reason left to live. It is ironic that this man who had achieved so much
He was a high society man and the envy of many of the townspeople. He is characterized in a way that makes him appear to be almost god-like. He “glittered when he walked” and yet when he spoke he seemed humble and genuine. He was “richer than a king” and “schooled in every grace.” He was the man everyone knew and wished they could be. The way he presented himself to the town was obviously quite different from his true feelings because his fate was sealed after he put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger. It is ironic that the man everyone wanted to be was unhappy enough to commit suicide. He presented himself in such a manner that o one would have even suspected the depression he was masking so