The narrator in "Richard Cory" by Edwin Arlington Robinson is a low class working citizen telling the reader‚ in detail‚ about a distinguished gentleman named Richard Cory who eventually "put a bullet through his head." Almost everyone‚ including the narrator‚ would stare at him with awe every time they saw him. He was "imperially slim"(4)‚ always charismatic and well-dressed. He was extremely courteous and polite. He would please everyone’s heart with a simple "Good Morning." Then the narrator soon
Premium Thought Stanza Edwin Arlington Robinson
In the poem‚ Richard Cory is believed to be superior in contrast to the working people. The poem states‚ “Whenever Richard Cory went down town‚ we people on the pavement looked at him” (754). The working people had very little money and work consistently to survive‚ “So on we worked‚ and waited for the light‚ and went without the meat‚ and cursed the bread” (755). The people admired Richard Cory and wished to one day have the same wealth as Richard Cory‚ “And he was rich—yes‚ richer than a king”
Premium Working class Social class Suicide
In the poem “Richard Cory”‚ Edwin Arlington Robinson depicts a “grass is greener” presumption with a twist. The speaker in this poem‚ representing the working class‚ tells about a gentleman by the name of Richard Cory; a man everyone admired. This poem is an ironic illustration of how the “glitter[y]” (l. 8) illusion that wealth and stature projects in ones appearance does not always mean the individual has internal happiness. In the first stanza‚ Robinson methodically distinguishes the differences
Premium Poetry Social class Stanza
Analysis of Richard Cory In the ironic poem‚ “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson‚ the author conveys a simple profound message that someone else’s life may not be an ideal existence. Richard Cory’s wealth‚ distinction and admiration from the ‘people on the pavement’ demonstrated that in their eyes he was the American dream. He was respected‚ well admired‚ envied and they wished they could trade lives with him. “Richard Cory” is a dramatic poem‚ written in four stanzas of regular alternating
Premium Edwin Arlington Robinson Rhyme Stanza
“Richard Cory” was written by Edwin Arlington Robinson in 1897.From the title we establish that we will be reading about Richard Cory but we don’t know exactly what will be discussed. We then read the poem and understand the issue he wrote about still exists today. The poem shows the difference between image and reality. It shows how someone who appears to have everything in life according to other’s societal beliefs may have a very different perception of their lives. Robinson wants us to understand
Premium Wealth Mind Stanza
appearances. In the poem Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson‚ the author tries to communicate several things. Robinsons poem is about a rich man that commits suicide‚ and the thoughts of the people in town that watch him in his everyday life. In Richard Cory‚ Robinson is communicating that outward appearances are not always what they seem‚ an that money does not always make a person happy Through the poem‚ Robinson never hints to any relationships that Richard Cory may have had. There is no
Premium Suicide Happiness Middle class
The poem “Richard Cory” which was written by Edward Arlington Robinson illustrates the theme of how ones appearances may not actually be the true reality. The speaker describes “Richard Cory” as a wealthy individual who seems to have it all but however in the last few lines of the poem he ends up taking his own life. Robinson is able to create an immense sense of situational irony through vivid and lucid imagery‚ a detailed setting and a mysterious speaker. The use of imagery is extensively used
Premium Poetry Edwin Arlington Robinson Suicide
"Richard Cory" describes how one man is not as perfect as his townspeople think. The poem “Richard Cory” was written in 1897 by Edwin Arlington Robinson. It is about a gentleman by the name of Richard Cory; a man everybody admired. The townspeople look at him as if he had it all. They see his money‚ feel his power‚ know his intelligence‚ and not one time do they ever doubt his happiness‚ yet Richard Cory “puts a bullet through his head”. In 1966 the musicians Simon and Garfunkel wrote the song “Richard
Premium Working class Meaning of life Social class
of the 1890s is nostalgically referred to as “The Gay Nineties” (Drew) and produced some of the most decadent writings‚ art‚ music‚ and play-writes of the time. Two authors to come out of this were Paul Laurence Dunbar and Edwin Arlington Robinson‚ authors of the poems “We Wear the Mask” and “Richard Cory” respectively. Both poems have a somber tone through the stanzas and neither suggest a happy outcome. The struggle differs in each poem as one alludes to the African American struggle through the
Premium Great Depression African American United States
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”
Premium Edwin Arlington Robinson Suicide