Discussion Topic

Richard Cory as the Embodiment of Enviable Success

Summary:

In Edwin Arlington Robinson's poem "Richard Cory," the titular character embodies enviable success through his wealth, manners, and appearance. Townspeople admire Cory as a gentleman, rich beyond measure, and possessing an aura that makes them wish to trade places with him. However, the poem's ironic twist reveals that Cory, despite his outward success, was deeply unhappy, ultimately committing suicide. This highlights the theme that appearances can be deceiving, and true contentment cannot be judged from external factors alone.

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Why might Richard Cory be seen as the embodiment of success?

The townspeople in Robinson's "Richard Cory" look at Richard Cory as an example of success based on his appearance and mood while walking around the town. This is why the ending of the poem—when Cory commits suicide—is such an ironic and surprising twist.

The first stanza reads:

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. (1-4)

Cory is described as a "gentleman," which could indicate both good manners and high social class. The word "imperially" links to the latter meaning, as it is related to emperors. He seems powerful and attractive. 

The next stanza continues:

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. (5-8)
Even though Cory is described here as "always human," so not that different from the townsfolk, "he fluttered pulses" and "glittered." He is placed on a pedestal by the town, and every action is considered special.
The third stanza makes Cory's wealth obvious:
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. (9-12)
Here, he is said to be "richer than a king," and due to his wealth and "grace," the townspeople want to be "in his place." This becomes ironic in the final stanza because, as they struggle, he "Went home and put a bullet through his head" (16). This is surprising because the townsfolk think his wealth, manners, and gentlemanly nature make his life perfect. They envy him and wish to trade places with him. Obviously, there was something about his life, though, that was not perfect. His own perception of himself does not match the perception of the town.
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Why was Richard Cory envied?

Edwin Arlington Robinson in his poem "Richard Cory" explains a man's life in sixteen lines.  The simplicity and duplicity of life are summarized in these splendidly written lines.  Much like O. Henry in his story stories, Robinson gives the reader a seemingly ordinary description of a much admired man and then shocks the reader with the conclusion of the poem. 

In the poem, the reader will discover Robinson commenting on the class system present in his day between those that have and those who do not. Believing someone should be admired for his dress, his wealth, and manners is forgetting about what is most important in a man: his character and the reality of his life.

The poem speaks to the idea that one never knows what is going on behind closed doors. So who was this Richard Cory?  He was a man of gentlemanly manners and etiquette.  Handsome, well-dressed, but not showy--these are the attributes the townspeople ascribed to Cory.   He did not "put on airs," nor was he loud and boisterous in his conversations among the people.  It seemed almost that there was an aura around him as moved in the town. Because he was  well-educated and extremely rich, the commoners admired him so much that they wished they were he. Yet, men must go with their lives working and hoping that things will improve.  What does this greatly admired man, Richard Cory,  who seemingly has everything, do: he commits suicide.  Wow! Is that a surprise for everyone?

The question asked was "Why was Richard Cory envied?" The people who observed Cory in his daily life knew only what they saw and heard and that seemed admirable,  even wonderful. They were unable to see into his  heart and mind to find the obvious misery and unhappiness that he must have felt.

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