In "Richard Cory", Edwin Arlington Robinson explores the deception of
appearances. Richard Cory was a wealthy man, admired and envied by those who
consider themselves less fortunate than he. Seemingly, Richard Cory was the model of
success, dignity, and wealth. A standard to which every man was measured. However,
Richard Cory didn't have everything; the desire to live. Through Richard Cory, Robinson
illustrates how appearances can be deceiving and how depression and despair is not
confined to the "people on the pavement" (line 2).
Cory's portrait is drawn for us by a representative man, who depicts him as
"imperially slim," (line 4) "a gentleman from sole to crown," (line 3) and "richer than a
king" (line 9). Cory is immediately elevated from the ordinary man to a position often
associated with monarchy. This contrast serves as the primary tone of the poem.
Nowhere are we given direct evidence of Cory's real character; we are given only the
comments of the people about him, except for his last act, taking his own life. Iro...
There are four types of irony, verbal, situational, cosmic, and dramatic. There are situations in life that are ironic and it sometimes compares to a story. “Richard Cory” and “The Story of an Hour” are two stories that compare in the irony given.. The two stories resemble each other and they also resemble life in some situations.
This fairy-tale like story not only entertains the readers, it also educates them about the distinctions of the social class system in this era. The author of this poem successfully introduces his audience to a royal king and queen, a prestigious bishop, and a brave and honorable knight. Furthermore, the writer cleverly uses these characters to enlighten his readers to the inner workings of this “pyramid of power” and demonstrates how this social class system effects social interactions in the fourteenth century. While the author of this poem is unknown, there is no questioning the quality of this wonderful work of literature and the value it possess in regard to understanding the social class distinctions of the fourteenth century.
he suffered through-out his life, ie. the war, the holocaust, his wife's suicide, and his heart disease.
Richard Cory poems are a traditional type of poetry found all throughout different time periods. The poems range from the original to song variations, all contributing their own perspectives on what Richard Cory symbolized, and each takes their own distinct form. Richard Cory poetry usual contains the distinct ending of Richard Cory taking his own life, but each poem adds its own variations to this repetitive theme. Throughout the poems, there are also many similar themes, which portray a consistent theme of the American Dream and how it transforms. Many symbolic issues that deal with this dream are related to wealth, which is the most prominent reoccurring theme in the two poems. Whereas Robinson's "Richard Cory" focuses on symbolic issues of wealth during an early time period, Paul Simon creates a contemporary "Richard Cory", showing the transformation of the American Dream coinciding with the passage of time.
During his lifetime, he was a very dedicated and hardworking person who accomplished many things. Many people believe that he was a hot headed person, meaning that he was quick tempered, but that meant he could focus and get his stuff done. People also believe that
of how he should live and how people should perceive him. His entire adult life rested on
Excluding the question of whether sympathy can be found in his treatment, it is arguably his personal traits w...
just because the guy he was. He a big effect in his family and had a big influence on his family.
"O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!/ The courtier's, soldier's scholar's eye, tongue, sword;/ The expectancy and rose of the fair state,/ The glass of fashion and the mold of form,/ The observ'd of all observers, quite, quite down!
In Flowers in the Attic, V.C Andrews creates a family tree that is doomed to repeat the sins of its past. The family name, Dollanganger, is a play on word of the word doppelganger, which means a double of a person. This doppelganger effect creates confusing doubles between Christopher Sr. and Christopher Jr., referred to as Chris, who look and act the same, and Corrine and Cathy, who are jealous of each other. The doppelganger effect causes confusion in the nuclear family relationships between the grandmother, Corrine, Cathy, Christopher, and Chris.
won millions to his cause. Even though he said that at his death he was "...the
...ere is room for debate about his courage and nobility, and whether or not we feel any pity or compassion for him. Our feelings at the end constitute the expected catharsis.
...h will always remain a mystery. People can read the poem and come up with many different assumptions on why Richard Cory ultimately killed himself, but we will never be certain which one is right. This situational ironic story shows that appearances don’t always reflect the true picture of man’s inner being. Richard Cory is not a King; he is human
Paraphrase: A man named Richard Cory appeared to have it all: looks, a suave persona and a respectable social status. These qualities were respected and admired by the townspeople, even envied to a small degree. Despite his apparent perfect life, Richard Cory shot and killed himself.
his life. I hope to change this flaw in the history books by telling you as