Richard Cory is a narrative poem composed by Edwin Arlington Robinson in 1897 It describes a wealthy, respected, and admired man from the town of Coryville who was envied by the people around him. The poem chronicles the life and tragic death of Richard Cory. Through its use of symbolism, imagery, and structure, the poem paints a vivid picture of the man who in the eyes of everyone around him had it all.
The poem starts by introducing Richard Cory as a well-dressed, admired gentleman. He is described as being “imperially slim”, “immaculately clad”, and “richer than a king”. He is viewed by the townsfolk as someone who is “admirably schooled in every grace” and every “pleasure of the mind”. People envy him, present themselves to him as equals; yet, despite all this, Richard Cory remains an enigma to the people of Coryville.
The second stanza reveals that beneath the glamorous and wealthy exterior lies a troubled soul. He makes no outward show of his suffering, however, and the townsfolk can only speculate over the cause of his sorrow. The third stanza makes it clear that despite the emptiness of his inner life, Richard Cory continues to show pride in himself. He holds himself “above the common touch”, and does not seek company or conversation.
The poem culminates in the fourth stanza, which reveals that one night, Richard Cory “went home and put a bullet through his head”. His death is a shock to the people of Coryville, and they “wondered why”. The poem ends with an explanation of Richard’s death: it was a wry, twisted kind of revenge against his own fate. He had been admired, envied, and sought after, yet still felt isolated and unhappy. His death can be seen as a comment on the powerlessness of wealth and status in the face of real human suffering.
The five best examples of the themes presented in Richard Cory are the following:
1. Status and Wealth: Richard Cory was envied for his wealth, which made him appear to have it all. However, beneath the surface, he was deeply troubled, suggesting that money alone cannot provide true contentment.
2. Social Isolation: Although Richard Cory was admired and sought-after by the people of Coryville, he kept himself detached from them, emphasizing the alienation that can come with great wealth.
3. Inner Struggles: Richard Cory may have seemed perfect to the townsfolk, but the poem reveals that his inner life was full of pain, demonstrating that suffering can be hidden even among the most successful and admired people.
4. Hypocrisy and Vanity: Richard Cory’s choice of suicide as a means of rebellion against his own fate is a comment on the vanity, hypocrisy, and toxicity of pride.
5. Mobility of Love and Empathy: Even though the townsfolk of Coryville did not understand the depths of Richard’s pain, their shock and bewilderment indicates that true empathy can cross all boundaries and overcome the differences between the rich and the poor.