Richard Cory Research Paper

War is a catalyst for social change. This is very clear among the movement of Modernism, which was amid between the two bloodiest wars WW1 and WW2. This then resulted in the modernistic motto“ Make It New”. Modernism was a movement that caused a drastic change in all aspects of the arts. Literature had new, intriguing qualities that broke away from the long developed traditions. It also incorporated new concepts such as devaluing the importance of certain things in society, Symbolism and the conception of a modern hero.
During this movement many selections broke away from past standards and expectations, but one piece of literature the truly embraced this idea was the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper”. The genera horror in which it was written in itself was unheard of, but by incorporating certain attributes that some might say are unsettling it broke from tradition in a very unique way. It used real life scenarios to enable fear almost incorporating elements of satire, for this story
One modernist selection who has a character with these qualities is the short story “Richard Cory”. In this story, Richard Cory is an outcast among his town because he is of a greater social class. He is envied by all and many feel as if they are wrong to be in his presence. This isolates him from almost all of the town, and even though many talk to him everyday, even when in the midst of company there is a sense of loneliness and desolation.
The story “The Yellow Wallpaper” also has many examples of isolation, which take place through the entire story. This isolation, however is much more obvious and intense, for the main character is literally trapped in a room. Though, it is when she is in the least amount of confinement, she feels most lone and disarrayed. As she becomes more alone with her thoughts the isolation consumes her. This occurs in many modernists’