What You See is Not Always What You Get

Many humans innately judge others from the outside and assume what they may not officially know. This correlates to the cliché saying, “don’t’ judge a book by its cover.” Just because someone may look rough and tough because of the clothes he or she wears or the tone of his or her voice doesn’t mean that this person can’t be the kindest and the most giving person around. One really can’t say he or she knows someone until that person has spent the time to fully understand and experience the other person’s personality and personal life. Looks can be deceiving and may only symbolize a barrier that encages the throbbing heart from within. In the poem “Richard Cory,” Edwin Arlington Robinson uses hyperbole, symbolism, and irony to capture the theme that not everything turns out like it’s expected to.

First of all, Robinson uses hyperboles to exaggerate the situation of Richard Cory to make the reader fully believe in the told observations. One example of this is when the narrator says, “ and he glittered when he walked” (8). This is an exaggeration because this man of course is not actually glistening with sparkle. It is there to state that Richard Cory stands out in a crowd and exudes a radiance unlike the townspeople have seen anywhere else. It contributes to the overall theme of the poem because it enforces the fact that this man is so seemingly flawless that everyone envies him; yet, the townsfolk and judging from the outside and don’t known what this man actually feels. A second example is when he says, “ And he was rich- yes, richer than a king” (9). This is exaggerated because it is assumed that the typical town Richard lives in is not a royal palace where a king would reside. It is said this way because later in the poem it i...

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... someone for the riches he has because he might not be as he seems.

In conclusion, Edwin Arlington Robinson’s precise literary devices help enhance this poem to reach its potential. The shocking ending is built up through hyperboles and symbols that help enhance Richard Cory to make sure the reader is fully devoted to believe Cory is perfect before the big reveal. The irony at the end makes this poem so memorable and unique due to the impactful surprise. The message portrayed in this poem is one that can be applied to everyday life. As humans, everyone should restrain from using materialistic stature to grade others around. It’s not fair to label people with assumptions that may prove to be false. So everyone should consider and appreciate the things that they have in their life and get the facts of the other person before determining he or she else is better off.