Richard Cory
Richard Cory Revision
“Richard Cory” is a world-renowned narrative poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson. It was first published in 1897, during a time when the US economy was still suffering from a severe depression. Richard Cory is admired by the townspeople because he was rich, educated, and a gentleman. Richard Cory went home one summer night and shot himself in the head. “Richard Cory” is a poem that employs rich imagery, contains an impacting theme, and relates to modern society “Richard Cory” is a very relatable poem. Richard was a man who had it all. He was a gentleman, rich, and very well educated. The townspeople were jealous of Richard for he had everything anyone could ask for, except happiness. This poem is relatable for me because when I was in ninth grade one of my classmates committed suicide. He was a kid who seemed like he had it all. He was a very popular, and well liked among my grade. When my classmates and I had found out that he had killed himself nobody believed it, and then we heard over the announcements that it was true. The silence mixed with crying was the worst noise I had ever heard. The most upsetting part was no one had seen it coming, much like Richard Cory.
Edwin Robinson uses rich imagery throughout this poem, especially when talking about Richard Cory. For example, when Robinson says, “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.” When reading this poem I feel as if I was one of the townspeople watching Mr. Cory walking through town. Robinson’s use of imagery makes me feel as if I know Richard Cory.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover” or “wealth and beauty does not make one happy” are themes that arise throughout this poem. To the townspeople Richard Cory had it all, and they all wished to be in his place because he was well educated, wealthy, and a true gentleman. However, in the last two lines it
“Richard Cory” is a world-renowned narrative poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson. It was first published in 1897, during a time when the US economy was still suffering from a severe depression. Richard Cory is admired by the townspeople because he was rich, educated, and a gentleman. Richard Cory went home one summer night and shot himself in the head. “Richard Cory” is a poem that employs rich imagery, contains an impacting theme, and relates to modern society “Richard Cory” is a very relatable poem. Richard was a man who had it all. He was a gentleman, rich, and very well educated. The townspeople were jealous of Richard for he had everything anyone could ask for, except happiness. This poem is relatable for me because when I was in ninth grade one of my classmates committed suicide. He was a kid who seemed like he had it all. He was a very popular, and well liked among my grade. When my classmates and I had found out that he had killed himself nobody believed it, and then we heard over the announcements that it was true. The silence mixed with crying was the worst noise I had ever heard. The most upsetting part was no one had seen it coming, much like Richard Cory.
Edwin Robinson uses rich imagery throughout this poem, especially when talking about Richard Cory. For example, when Robinson says, “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.” When reading this poem I feel as if I was one of the townspeople watching Mr. Cory walking through town. Robinson’s use of imagery makes me feel as if I know Richard Cory.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover” or “wealth and beauty does not make one happy” are themes that arise throughout this poem. To the townspeople Richard Cory had it all, and they all wished to be in his place because he was well educated, wealthy, and a true gentleman. However, in the last two lines it