Richard Cory Interpretation

Richard Cory Interpretation “Richard Cory”, by Edwin Arlington Robinson, is a poem about a man who is perceived by many to be an icon due to his wealth and demeanor that one day commits suicide. Throughout the poem, Robinson uses many specific examples of the working class admiration of Richard Cory and his wealth. In this poem, Robinson suggests that monetary wealth does not necessarily bring happiness to a person even when it seems as if a person has everything. He shows this in the story by describing the traits of Richard Cory as described by the lower class citizens who looked up to Mr. Cory. The traits described from the working class point of view make it evident that they want to be happy and to do so they believe they must be wealthy like Richard Cory. This false idea the lower class creates in the image of Richard Cory, a man they believe to be superior and happy, is one that they carry throughout the story. The poem suggests that Richard Cory is a very wealthy and humble man. We can conclude this from the many examples that Robinson uses to get his point across. When the narrator says, “We people on the pavement,” he implies that they are a lower class of citizen that looks up to Mr. Cory (2). By using this example Robinson immediately points out the class difference between the narrator and Mr. Cory. The narrator also uses the analogy, “gentleman from sole to crown,” there is a hidden meaning behind this (3). By calling Mr. Cory a gentleman, it is the second time the narrator creates a separation of class between Richard Cory and the narrator. In addition, not only does sole to crown mean from head to toe, but it represents an image of wealth as a rich king would wear a crown. An example that shows Mr. Cory is a humble man as well as a wealthy man that is from the text is, “Always human,” which shows he is a courteous man even to those who may not be as well of as he is. (6). However, when Robinson added the line “flutters pulses” he once again