Richard is described as “richer than a king” (line 9), however despite his wealth, “he was always quietly arrayed,/And he was always human when he talked” (5-6). This indicates that Cory was a very “down-to-earth” person, and did not see himself as better than anybody else. It was assumed by all of the townspeople that admired Richard that he had it all; that he had no more to gain and was perfectly content. The two ending lines would beg to differ. “And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,/Went home and put a bullet through his head” (15-16). The irony of the poe being that Cory was very discontent and—although not directly stated—was probably lonely due to the isolation that was brought on by his wealth. Robinson, through Richard Cory, is providing a commentary on the uselessness of money as an abdicator of happiness. On the outside, it was as though Richard Cory had everything in the world, but the wealth of the physical body does not necessarily indicate wealth of the
Richard is described as “richer than a king” (line 9), however despite his wealth, “he was always quietly arrayed,/And he was always human when he talked” (5-6). This indicates that Cory was a very “down-to-earth” person, and did not see himself as better than anybody else. It was assumed by all of the townspeople that admired Richard that he had it all; that he had no more to gain and was perfectly content. The two ending lines would beg to differ. “And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,/Went home and put a bullet through his head” (15-16). The irony of the poe being that Cory was very discontent and—although not directly stated—was probably lonely due to the isolation that was brought on by his wealth. Robinson, through Richard Cory, is providing a commentary on the uselessness of money as an abdicator of happiness. On the outside, it was as though Richard Cory had everything in the world, but the wealth of the physical body does not necessarily indicate wealth of the