Richard Cory

The prevailing theme in the poem “Richard Cory” by Edwin Robinson is that wealth and wealthy possessions do not satisfy a person’s desire and purpose in life. In our modern day society, the only necessity needed to survive in life is money. To succeed in the capitalistic world we live in, one must be wealthy and rich. The idea that money will make you succeed in life attracts many people who are less fortunate. These people who are struck by poverty are engrossed in the idea of gaining substantial wealth to gain a chance they were never given to succeed in life. The people who devote their lives completely to wealth and power shall not know the true meaning of life. Thus, they shall feel a void in their life, no purpose, no meaning, just like Richard Cory.

Richard Cory is the epitome of perfection. In the poem “down town” connotes images of a financial district, a place where the wealthy dwell. Richard’s wealth allows him to be one of those wealthy men who reside “down town” The “we people” refer to the ordinary citizens. These people are not as wealthy as Richard, living an average life. These ordinary people “looked” at Richard Cory because he is special, he is a famous figure. These citizens are jealous of his possessions, admiring his wealth. The status of “gentlemen” comes with many perks and benefits. It signifies importance and wealth. The status also comes with praise and respect. Richard’s description of being “clean favored” and “imperially slim” show him to be at his peak in terms of health. Richard is not sloppy or fat; instead he has the health of a man with high socials status at his prime.

At one point in Richard’s life, he had realized that there was a flaw in the way he lived. Richard Cory had felt emptiness in his life, l even with all the wealth and money he owned. Richard did not have anyone to create a bond with, therefore leaving a void in his life that riches could not fill. To change this, Richard was “always quietly arrayed” not