'Richard Cory' by Edwin Arlington Robinson
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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.
And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
"Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.
And he was rich—yes, richer than a king—
And admirably schooled in every grace;
In fine we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.
So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Richard Cory! What a captivating poem! It's a classic, and for good reason. The themes it explores are universal, and the imagery and symbols it employs are evocative and powerful. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore Robinson's masterpiece, dissect its meaning, and analyze its literary devices.
The Plot
The plot of Richard Cory is simple. The speaker, a member of a lower-class community, observes Richard Cory, a wealthy and respected man, and envies his life. However, the poem takes a tragic turn when Richard Cory unexpectedly takes his own life. The speaker and the rest of the community are left wondering why someone who seemed to have everything could be so unhappy.
The Themes
The themes of Richard Cory are many and complex. On the surface, the poem explores the concept of wealth and its impact on happiness. The speaker and the community believe that Richard Cory's wealth has afforded him a happy and fulfilling life. However, the poem reveals that this is not the case. Money cannot buy happiness, and Richard Cory's wealth has not shielded him from despair.
Another theme of the poem is the idea of perception vs. reality. The speaker and the community perceive Richard Cory as a happy and contented man. However, this perception is shattered when his suicide reveals the reality of his inner turmoil. The poem challenges the reader to question their own perceptions and beliefs, and to recognize that appearances can be deceiving.
Finally, the poem explores the idea of isolation and loneliness. Richard Cory is depicted as a man who is isolated from the community by his wealth and status. He is unable to connect with those around him, and this isolation may have contributed to his despair. The poem reminds us of the importance of social connection and community in our lives.
The Literary Devices
Robinson employs several literary devices to convey the themes of the poem. The most obvious device is the use of irony. The poem is a classic example of dramatic irony, where the reader knows something that the characters in the story do not. The speaker and the community believe that Richard Cory has everything they want, but the reader knows that he is deeply unhappy. This irony is further heightened by the fact that Richard Cory's suicide is unexpected and shocking.
Another literary device used in the poem is symbolism. Richard Cory is depicted as a symbol of wealth and success, while the speaker and the community are symbols of poverty and struggle. The contrasting imagery of the two groups emphasizes the divide between them, and highlights the differences in their experiences.
The poem also employs metaphor, with Richard Cory being compared to a king. This metaphor emphasizes his power and status, but also suggests the isolation and burden that comes with such a position.
The Interpretation
So, what is the meaning of Richard Cory? At its core, the poem is a commentary on the human condition. It highlights our universal desire for happiness, and the many ways we seek to achieve it. It also reveals the limitations of wealth, and the importance of social connection and community.
But the poem is also a warning. It challenges us to question our assumptions and beliefs, and to recognize that appearances can be deceiving. It reminds us that we cannot truly know the inner lives of others, and that we should approach them with empathy and compassion.
In the end, Richard Cory is a powerful and moving poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes and messages are timeless, and its literary devices are masterful. It is a true classic, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Edwin Arlington Robinson's Richard Cory is a masterpiece of poetry. Its themes of wealth, perception, and isolation are explored with subtlety and depth, and its literary devices are expertly employed. The poem is a commentary on the human condition, and a warning to approach others with empathy and compassion. It is a true classic, and a must-read for anyone interested in literature and the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Richard Cory: A Poem of Irony and Social Commentary
Edwin Arlington Robinson's "Richard Cory" is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed for decades. The poem tells the story of a wealthy and respected man named Richard Cory, who appears to have everything one could want in life. However, despite his wealth and status, the poem ends with a shocking twist that leaves readers questioning the true nature of happiness and success.
The poem begins with a description of Richard Cory, who is portrayed as a "gentleman from sole to crown" (line 3). He is tall, handsome, and well-dressed, and his presence commands respect and admiration from those around him. The speaker of the poem, who is a member of the lower class, describes how the people in his town "went without the meat and cursed the bread" (line 9) while Richard Cory "glittered when he walked" (line 10). The contrast between the poverty of the speaker and his peers and the wealth and elegance of Richard Cory is stark and emphasizes the social divide between the two classes.
The second stanza of the poem continues to describe Richard Cory's wealth and status. He is said to have "quietly arrayed" (line 11) himself in expensive clothing and to have "imperially slim" (line 12) posture. The speaker notes that Richard Cory "was always human when he talked" (line 13), suggesting that despite his wealth and status, he was still approachable and relatable to those around him. The stanza ends with the speaker expressing his own admiration for Richard Cory, saying that he "was rich - yes, richer than a king" (line 16).
The third and final stanza of the poem is where the tone shifts dramatically. The speaker reveals that despite Richard Cory's wealth and status, he "put a bullet through his head" (line 16) and ended his own life. The speaker and his peers are left shocked and confused by this turn of events, unable to understand how someone who appeared to have everything could be so unhappy as to take his own life. The final lines of the poem emphasize this confusion, with the speaker saying that "we thought that he was everything / To make us wish that we were in his place" (lines 23-24).
The irony of the poem lies in the fact that Richard Cory, despite his wealth and status, was not happy. The poem suggests that happiness and fulfillment cannot be found in material possessions or social status alone. Richard Cory's suicide is a stark reminder that even those who appear to have everything can still struggle with their own inner demons and feelings of despair.
The poem can also be read as a commentary on the social divide between the upper and lower classes. The speaker and his peers are portrayed as being envious of Richard Cory's wealth and status, but the poem suggests that this envy is misplaced. The speaker notes that "we thought that he was everything / To make us wish that we were in his place" (lines 23-24), but the reality is that Richard Cory's wealth and status did not bring him happiness or fulfillment. The poem suggests that the social divide between the upper and lower classes is not just a matter of material wealth, but also of emotional and psychological well-being.
In terms of form, "Richard Cory" is a traditional rhyming poem with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a rhythmic and musical quality. The use of traditional poetic form and meter emphasizes the timeless nature of the poem's message and reinforces its status as a classic work of literature.
In conclusion, Edwin Arlington Robinson's "Richard Cory" is a powerful poem that explores themes of wealth, status, and happiness. The poem's shocking twist ending forces readers to question their assumptions about what it means to be successful and fulfilled in life. The poem's commentary on the social divide between the upper and lower classes is also relevant today, as income inequality continues to be a major issue in society. "Richard Cory" is a classic work of literature that continues to resonate with readers and inspire discussion and analysis.
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