Richard Cory, the protagonist of Edwin Arlington Robinson’s poem “Richard Cory,” is a complex character whose persona is full of contradictions and ambiguities. The poem follows the life of a wealthy gentleman named Richard Cory who is admired by everyone in his town. Despite his apparent success and immense wealth, the poem ends with a sudden and shocking twist that upends the reader’s expectations of who Cory really is. This essay provides a detailed and nuanced interpretation of Cory’s persona, exploring the various literary devices used by Robinson to depict this complex character.
Key Takeaways
- Richard Cory is a wealthy and successful gentleman who is admired and envied by everyone in his community
- Despite his apparent success and immense wealth, Cory is deeply unhappy, and the poem ends with his sudden suicide
- The contrast between appearances and reality is a major theme in the poem, and Robinson uses a variety of literary devices to create this contrast
- Through the character of Richard Cory, Robinson critiques the American Dream and the notion of material success as the ultimate goal in life.
A Detailed Analysis of Cory’s Character
At first glance, Richard Cory seems like the embodiment of the American Dream. He is wealthy, successful, and highly respected in his community. The townspeople are envious of his wealth and status, and they admire him for his polite and dignified demeanor. However, as the poem progresses, the reader begins to see that there is a dark underbelly to Cory’s seemingly perfect life.
Robinson uses a variety of literary devices to create a sense of contrast between Cory’s external appearance and his internal state of mind. For example, the poem begins with a description of Cory’s external appearance:
“Whenever Richard Cory went down town,We people on the pavement looked at him:He was a gentleman from sole to crown,Clean favored, and imperially slim.”
This description emphasizes Cory’s external qualities: his appearance, his clothes, and his demeanor. However, as the poem progresses, we begin to see that there is more to Cory than meets the eye. We learn that he is “quietly arrayed” and “imperially slim,” but also that “we thought that he was everything / To make us wish that we were in his place.” This line suggests that the townspeople are envious of Cory’s wealth and success, but it also hints at a deeper dissatisfaction with their own lives.
As the poem progresses, we begin to see that Cory is deeply unhappy. He “glittered when he walked” and “fluttered pulses when he said, / ‘Good morning,'” but we soon learn that his “imperially slim” body hides a deep sense of despair. In the final stanza of the poem, we learn that Cory “went home and put a bullet through his head.”
Through Cory’s tragic fate, Robinson critiques the American Dream and the notion of material success as the ultimate goal in life. By depicting Cory as a wealthy and successful man who is deeply unhappy, Robinson suggests that there is more to life than material wealth and social status. The contrast between appearances and reality is a major theme in the poem, and Robinson uses a variety of literary devices to create this contrast.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Richard Cory is a complex character whose persona is full of contradictions and ambiguities. Through the character of Cory, Robinson critiques the American Dream and the notion of material success as the ultimate goal in life. By depicting Cory as a wealthy and successful man who is deeply unhappy, Robinson suggests that there is more to life than material wealth and social status. The poem is a powerful exploration of the human psyche and a critique of the values that underpin American society.
FAQ
Q: What is the theme of “Richard Cory”?
A: The theme of “Richard Cory” is the contrast between appearances and reality. The poem suggests that we should not judge people by their external appearance, as there is often a deeper, hidden truth beneath the surface.
Q: What is the significance of Richard Cory’s suicide?
A: Richard Cory’s suicide is significant because it upends the reader’s expectations of who Cory really is. At first glance, Cory seems like the embodiment of the American Dream, but his suicide suggests that there is more to his story than meets the eye.