False Impressions: An Analysis Of Edwin Arlington Robinson's Richard Cory

Robinson gives a physical description of Richard Cory as "Clean favored, and imperially slim." While this seems to be physical, many symbolic issues of wealth are expressed through this line. Cory is once again given a description of royalty by being called "imperially slim" and by also being "clean favored" he seems he may be above all else or at least that aura was personified. In Simon's poem, rather than royal traits, Cory is given characteristics of being "everything a man could want: power, grace, and style." These traits move from a regal standpoint, to one usually associated with famous, sophisticated people. This repositioning of the American Dream is apparent after evaluating the way wealth transformed the way the public viewed Richard Cory.

Although the author describes the emotions that the residents have towards him they still envy him in the way that they describe him more then what would be expected. Robinson utilizes metaphors “richer than a king” to allow the readers to comprehend that the protagonist was very

Throughout the poem, the verses frequently describes the fortunate life of Richard Cory from an outside perspective. In the first few lines, the poem introduces with, “Whenever Richard Cory went downtown, / We people on the pavement looked at him” (1-2). The reference of “we” describes the point of view of someone other than Richard Cory and the quote shows how much attention Richard receives from the city. At a different point, the thought of the narrator reveals, “In fine, we thought that he was everything/ To make us wish that we were in his place” (11-12). Envy or perhaps admiration shows throughout the thoughts of the onlookers. Displays of the thoughts and admiration of the lower class citizens toward Richard show the audience how Richard appears in the public, however the presence of Richard Cory’s emotions or thoughts never revealed itself to the readers. Therefore, the narrator looks at the outside life of Richard Cory and envies Richard’s qualities without knowing the deeper reason why Richard would kill himself.

The diction that the author uses in this poem plays a great part in conveying the theme. This poem describes how all the people see Richard Cory. He is portrayed as a “gentleman from sole to crown”(3). The people see him as an ideal man. People want to be him. He was “clean favored and imperially slim”(4). The people of the town saw that Cory was well-groomed and even looked like royalty to them. The people could tell by the way he was dressed that he was well off, that he had plenty of money. Though he wore nice clothing, he did not flaunt his money; he did not wear flashy clothes. He was “always quietly arrayed” (5).

The poem “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson is a cautionary tale about public appearances and, while over 100 years old, its premise unquestionably applies today. The subject of the poem, Richard Cory, is a sophisticated man who makes visits to town from time to time and the working-class are in awe, considering him “a gentleman from sole to crown, // clean favored and imperially slim” (lines 3-4). He is gracious when conversing with his admirers – “he was always human when he talked” (line 6) – while effortlessly moving about – “he glittered when he walked” (line 8). Furthermore, Mr. Cory is rich, “richer than a king” (line 9) – and smart, “admirably schooled in every grace” (line 10) - and the townspeople are convinced he wants

The townspeople and he were disparate, vastly aware of the differing status. He can afford meat whereas they were left with just bread, “And without the meat, and cursed the bread” (4 l 2). The difference is further emphasized when the speaker used such words to elevate his high position, all glittering in contrast, “clean favored, and imperially slim” (1 l 4). His wealth stood alone a triumph in vain, as he felt like a recluse. He was alone, nothing but his thoughts to comfort him. He was alone whereas they were together. The pain had struck him bitterly, and well- aware the damages isolation was causing, he took it upon himself to ease the pain. He was friendless, alone. He has been housing all this sentiment; it was the death of him. Stuck in a furrow, imprisoned, with only money and impressions at his feet. He was everything, rather that he had everything. Perfect in every which way. Facade of perfection and here under the skin, he felt of lesser value. Tired of life, burdened with grief and scorn that life- his life isn’t what it ought to be. His appearance deceived others, but mainly himself, his inner appearance disloyal to his outer. However he felt, it was enough to put a bullet through his head. Robert Cory has washed his hands of himself. What is life to Mr. Coy, life is now

       Cory appears to have it all.  The poor townspeople look at him and they see the qualities that they themselves lack.  An ugly person may believe that if they were beautiful then happiness would be

The townsfolk think of him as an untouchable divine being, when in reality he is just as equal to them. The only difference between Mr. Cory and those around him are the materialistic things that he possesses. Without that, they are on equal social class. In the beginning of the poem, the townsmen attest to the emotional standing of Richard Cory only slightly. Richard “glittered when he walked” and passed through with a “‘Goodmorning’” to those who walked by (Robinson 8).

“Richard Cory” written by Edwin Robinson, throughout this poem wants us to ask ourselves, do high-end clothes and items make us happy? Should we judge people based on their outward appearance? Are rich people always happy with their lives? After reading this poem, I realized that the answers to those questions are no. No, high-end clothes and items don 't make us happy. No, we shouldn’t judge people; we don’t know what is going on in their lives. Lastly, we don’t know the rich people personally some may not be as happy as they seem on the outside. I read once, “ Man is the maker of his character, the molder of his life, and the builder of his destiny. The facade that people put forth can be a deceptive semblance of the soul, an illusion meant to hide their superficial nature.” It turns out in the end that underneath his good looks and wealth, Richard Cory is an unhappy man. Even though it appeared he had everything in one part, he had nothing in another. This poem proves that wealth, good looks and material things can’t guarantee someone’s happiness.

The narrative poem, “Richard Cory”, written in 1893 by the poet Edwin Arlington Robinson, narrates the story of Richard Cory, a fictional character, a man who seems to have it all. The people in the town belong to lower financial class and seem to worship him because of his position, they look up to him and they want to be like him. Richard Cory takes his own life at the end of the poem, which shows, that appearance and money cannot buy happiness or fulfillment. This poem is narrated in the third person plural, where “we” represents the citizens of the small town in which Richard Cory resides and where he is considered part of the royalty for his wealth and well educated self. The title of this poem suggests Richard’s destiny; because according to the meaning the name, Richard derives from German, French and English Ric (ruler, leader, king, powerful) and Hard (strong, brave, hardy) and it therefore means ‘strong in rule’ the perfect name for the perfect guy. Robinson had a rough childhood, since he described his own childhood as “stark and unhappy” which led his poetry to have a huge amount of dark pessimism within each line.

The second literary figure that suggests Robinson’s interpretation of Richard Cory’s depressed and internal confliction is imagery presented throughout the poem. For instance, Robinson illustrates the desire that follows Richard Cory as the societal characters “wish they were in his place”(line 12), although they were completely unaware of Cory’s true composure and mentality for the lifestyle he was born into. As Robinson praises the customs Cory follows, the audience becomes more aware of the third person perspective in which the poem is written, and how this point of view does not address the thoughts and sentiments Cory is actually experiencing. Through the vivid imagery presented in Richard Cory, Edwin Arlington Robinson expresses the idea that although the exterior may be noted, the interior can never be deciphered without further knowledge and deliberation.

The narrative poem, “Richard Cory”, by Edwin Arlington Robinson, was published in 1897. The poem is about a man who is very charming, rich, handsome, smart, well-spoken, is admired by everyone and thus, everyone wishes they were like him. Although Richard Cory lives a life of luxury, and admiration, Richard Cory commits suicide by shooting himself in the head. According to Wikipedia, the poet Edwin Arlington Robinson, was born on December 22, 1869, and died on April 6, 1935. Robinson had many struggles that led him to write poems that are dark pessimistic. For starters, he had a miserable childhood, and as time passed by, his older brother, Herman Robinson, married the woman he was in love with. Herman Robinson became an alcoholic, and was no longer living with his wife and children. In 1909, he died of Tuberculosis. The poem “Richard Cory”, was referred to his brother. The poet’s complex attitude towards Richard Cory, is seen in the situational irony used at the end of the poem, the change of tone throughout the poem, and lastly, the diction that compares him to royalty.

The point of view for this poem is valuable to the reader because it shows how Richard Cory's life is seen from an outsider’s perspective. The speaker is someone of lesser affluence than Richard Cory, and makes this evident when they separate themselves as “people of the pavement” (line 2). Richard Cory is an outsider, with no personal connection to the speaker of the poem, he is only regarded as someone with wealth, material possessions, good looks, and charm. He is hardly valued as a human being, more as an image of success, although it may be the speaker’s idea of success, successful people can have it all and still feel empty inside. The people look up to him, and revere him as a type of king. It is important to note that the speaker

Someone may judge a book by its cover, but they don’t recognize the precise meaning until they flip through the pages. The common misconception of Richard Cory was that he had the perfect life, along with fame, fortune, and good looks, but beneath it all existed a troubled soul and abnormal mindset that no one was able to uncover until it was too late. In the story Richard Cory, by Edwin Robinson, the idea of society and one's own stereotypical mindset misinterpreted a situation that is expanded upon in this reference to the outside appearances of Richard Cory’s clinical depression.

The writer “Edwin Arlington Robinson” wrote the poem “ Richard Cory” in 1896. Edwin Robinson, the American poet was recognized for his work and earned three Pulitzer Prizes. This poem was written about a man, Richard Cory. A man who seems to have it perfect in life and for this he is the center of attention in his community. His peer wish to be like him yet, they don’t know the trouble he has with his own self. He turns out killing himself. The poet uses literary devices such as formal diction, irony and imagery to emphasize the moral he strives for his readers to receive.