The poem "Richard Cory" by Edwin Arlington Robinson presents the theme of the dangerous illusion of perfection. The titular character, Richard Cory, is depicted as a wealthy, handsome, and gracious man who is admired by those in his community. However, despite his seemingly perfect exterior, Cory ultimately takes his own life, revealing that he was troubled and unhappy on the inside.
Throughout the poem, the speaker, who represents the community, speaks highly of Cory and his virtues. They describe him as "quietly arrayed," "humanly fair," and "imperially slim." The speaker and the community see Cory as a paragon of refinement and grace, someone who is above them in every way. They envy his wealth and status and are in awe of his seemingly perfect life.
However, the final stanza of the poem reveals that Cory was not as perfect as he appeared. He "put a bullet through his head" and "left the world unseen." This shocking act reveals that Cory was suffering from some internal turmoil that he was unable to overcome. The speaker is left to reflect on the fact that they "thought that he was everything / To make us wish that we were in his place."
Through this tragic ending, the poem suggests that appearances can be deceiving and that we should not judge others based on their external facade. Just because someone appears to have a perfect life does not mean that they are happy or fulfilled. The theme of the poem is that we should not envy others or strive for an illusion of perfection, as it can lead to disappointment and tragedy. Instead, we should focus on our own happiness and contentment and not compare ourselves to others.
What is the central theme throughout the poem Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson?
Also, there is the theme of appearances vs. In only one line — fewer than ten words and less than a dozen syllables — the poem shatters the elements upon which the American Dream is constructed. Indeed, the speaker notes that Cory "was quietly arrayed" and "was always human when he talked" 5-6. Why did Richard Cory put a bullet through his head? The poet figuratively uses the word buttercup for flowers and buds. What is the meaning of head is held high? Although Cory appears to have everything a man could desire status, riches, charm, looks, etc. Although Richard Cory enjoyed wealth and social position and was much envied by the working poor, he is the one who commits suicide, as we learn in the poem's last surprising line.
What does Richard Cory mean?
But beneath that surface, we find a man who is apparently very dissatisfied with his life. Someone might appear to be happy or contented with their life —and we might have every reason to believe that they are—but that appearance of satisfaction does not necessarily mean that a person isn't suffering secretly. These townspeople are poor and detest the lives they lead, so they envy Richard Cory, who is wealthy and cultured. They perceive Cory as one to be admired, one who has a perfection beyond their realm, but one, nevertheless, to make them "wish that we were in his place. Therefore, there is one theme of spiritual emptiness. The townspeople continued their lives of work and financial sacrifice, sometimes going without meat for dinner and eating only bread. Complete answer: The poet has beautifully used figures of speech in the poem.
What are the themes in "Richard Cory"?
Of course, the But, lying awake in his terrible alienation, Richard Cory who has meat, but no bread of human communion, commits suicide. Cite this page as follows: "What happens in the poem "Richard Cory," what is the theme, and can you relate to this poem? Meanwhile, Analysis The fundamental literary device operative in Arlington's "Richard Cory" is irony. Went home and put a bullet through his head. It is the townspeople, the speaker suggests, who turned Cory into an idol. But they do not realize at the appearance of Richard Cory does not match the reality of the man.
What form of poetry is Richard Cory?
To make us wish that we were in his place. What is the mood of the poem? When they see him on the street they all admire and envy him, because he has the luxuries that they do not. What does admirably schooled in every grace mean? We cannot tell, just by looking at another person, what they are going through or dealing with personally and privately. What does the poet mean by Let my country awake? What was not apparent to the townspeople was that the man who seemed to have everything was so unhappy that he took his own life. Why is Richard Cory a good name? He travels through the poorer quarters of downtown as a visitor and the working-class people can only wish to switches places with him. The setting of this poem is the Depression of the 1890s in which society's poor--"we people on the pavement"--felt they had been ignored during these difficult times and left at the mercy of the trusts and the people of the upper class, such as Robinson.
