Richard Cory

Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from head to toe,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.

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.

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.

So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head.

Understanding “Richard Cory”: A Timeless Tale of Appearance and Reality

Edwin Arlington Robinson’s “Richard Cory” stands as a powerful and frequently analyzed work in American literature, captivating readers since its publication in 1897. This poem masterfully explores the deceptive nature of appearances and the profound, often hidden, struggles that can exist beneath a seemingly perfect exterior. It serves as a poignant reminder that wealth, social status, and outward grace do not inherently guarantee happiness or inner peace.

The poem introduces Richard Cory, a man who embodies every desirable quality in the eyes of the townspeople. They observe him with a mixture of admiration and envy, convinced he possesses all the advantages life could offer. Cory is described as a “gentleman from head to toe,” “clean favored, and imperially slim,” radiating an aura of perfection. The townspeople, who themselves “worked, and waited for the light,” enduring hardship and scarcity, believe Cory to be “everything / To make us wish that we were in his place.” However, the poem delivers a shocking and tragic twist: “Richard Cory, one calm summer night, / Went home and put a bullet through his head.” This sudden, unexpected ending shatters the illusion of his perfect life, revealing a profound irony. The poem challenges us to look beyond the surface and consider the unseen burdens and silent suffering others might carry, prompting a deep reflection on the true meaning of fulfillment.

Central Ideas and Themes in “Richard Cory”

• The Illusion of Perfection: The poem vividly portrays how outward appearances can be profoundly misleading. Richard Cory seems to have it all, yet his inner turmoil remains completely hidden from the admiring townspeople.
• Wealth Versus Happiness: A core theme explores the disconnect between material prosperity and genuine contentment. Cory’s immense wealth, described as “richer than a king,” fails to bring him peace or prevent his tragic end.
• Social Class and Envy: The stark contrast between the struggling townspeople and the seemingly blessed Richard Cory highlights societal divisions and the envy that can arise from perceived differences in fortune.
• The Isolating Nature of Hidden Suffering: Cory’s suicide suggests a deep, private despair that he was unable or unwilling to share, emphasizing the profound loneliness that can accompany hidden struggles, even for those who appear to have everything.
• The Human Tendency to Idealize: The townspeople project their hopes and desires onto Richard Cory, creating an idealized image that ultimately proves to be far from the complex reality of his life.

A Deep Dive into “Richard Cory”: Unpacking the Poetic Craft

To truly appreciate the depth and impact of “Richard Cory,” one must examine the literary and poetic devices Edwin Arlington Robinson skillfully employs. These tools are not merely decorative; they are essential in crafting meaning, evoking emotion, and enhancing the poem’s powerful message.

Literary Devices: Crafting Meaning and Emotion

1. Imagery
   Robinson masterfully uses imagery to paint vivid pictures that appeal to our senses and shape our perception of characters and their circumstances. The descriptions of Richard Cory are particularly rich, creating an almost mythical figure in the townspeople’s eyes.

   “He was a gentleman from head to toe,
   Clean favored, and imperially slim.”

   These lines evoke a visual of elegance and refined stature. Later, his presence is described with a striking sensory detail:

   “But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
   “Good-morning,” and he glittered when he walked.”

   The word “glittered” suggests a radiant, almost otherworldly quality, reinforcing his idealized image. In contrast, the imagery describing the townspeople’s lives is stark and grounded in hardship:

   “And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;”

   This phrase powerfully conveys their poverty and daily struggles, making their envy of Cory even more understandable.

2. Irony
   The poem’s central and most impactful literary device is irony, specifically dramatic and situational irony. The entire narrative builds on the townspeople’s perception of Cory as the epitome of success and happiness, only to be dramatically subverted by his tragic end. The townspeople believe:

   “In fine, we thought that he was everything
   To make us wish that we were in his place.”

   This fervent wish for Cory’s life is rendered tragically ironic when he takes his own life. The contrast between his outward perfection and his hidden despair creates a profound sense of shock and forces readers to question superficial judgments of happiness.

3. Anaphora
   Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines. While not pervasive, Robinson uses it effectively to emphasize Cory’s consistent, admirable qualities, building the image of his perfection. Observe the repetition of “And he was always”:

   “
   And he was always quietly arrayed,
   And he was always human when he talked;”

   This repetition reinforces the idea that Cory consistently presented a flawless demeanor, contributing to the townspeople’s unwavering admiration.

4. Alliteration
   Alliteration involves the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in close proximity. This device adds a musical quality and can draw attention to specific phrases or ideas. For instance, the repetition of the “w” sound in the third stanza:

   “So on we worked, and waited for the light,”

   This subtle alliteration emphasizes the laborious and hopeful, yet often unfulfilled, lives of the townspeople, creating a sense of their collective struggle.

5. Assonance
   Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words that are close to each other. It contributes to the poem’s musicality and can highlight certain descriptions. Notice the repeated short “e” sound in the first stanza:

   “He was a gentleman from head to toe,”

   This subtle repetition creates a smooth, flowing sound that underscores the elegance and refinement attributed to Richard Cory.

6. Enjambment
   Enjambment occurs when a sentence or phrase continues from one line of poetry to the next without a pause or punctuation mark. This technique creates a sense of flow and can emphasize the connection between ideas. Consider these lines:

   “In fine, we thought that he was everything
   To make us wish that we were in his place.”

   The enjambment here allows the thought to carry seamlessly across the lines, emphasizing the completeness of the townspeople’s idealization of Cory and the depth of their longing.

7. Synecdoche
   Synecdoche is a figure of speech where a part is used to represent the whole, or vice versa. In the poem, it highlights the essential elements of the townspeople’s struggle for survival:

   “And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;”

   Here, “meat” and “bread” are not just specific food items, but stand for the entire sustenance and basic necessities required for a complete, comfortable meal. Their absence signifies profound poverty and deprivation.

Poetic Devices: Shaping Sound and Structure

1. Quatrain and Stanza Form
   The poem is structured into four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. This four-line stanza, known as a quatrain, is a traditional and effective poetic form. The consistent use of quatrains provides a clear, organized framework for the narrative, allowing Robinson to build the story and deliver the shocking revelation with precision and impact. Each stanza presents a distinct aspect of Cory or the townspeople’s perception, leading methodically to the climax.
2. Rhyme Scheme and End Rhyme
   “Richard Cory” employs a consistent ABAB end rhyme scheme in each stanza. This regular and predictable rhyme scheme contributes significantly to the poem’s musicality and rhythm. For example, in the first stanza: “down town” (A) rhymes with “crown” (not in poem, so I need to be careful here, the original example was wrong. Let’s use the actual poem’s rhymes: “down” (A), “him” (B), “toe” (C), “slim” (B) – wait, this is not ABAB. Let me recheck the poem’s rhyme scheme.
   * town (A)
   * him (B)
   * toe (C)
   * slim (B)
   This is ABCB. The original article stated ABAB. I need to correct this.

   Let’s re-evaluate the rhyme scheme:
   Stanza 1:
   town (A)
   him (B)
   toe (C)
   slim (B) -> ABCB

   Stanza 2:
   arrayed (A)
   talked (B)
   said (A)
   walked (B) -> ABAB

   Stanza 3:
   king (A)
   grace (B)
   everything (A)
   place (B) -> ABAB

   Stanza 4:
   light (A)
   bread (B)
   night (A)
   head (B) -> ABAB

   Okay, so the poem does NOT follow a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme. The first stanza is ABCB. The subsequent stanzas are ABAB. This is an important distinction! The original article was incorrect in stating “consistent ABAB end rhyme scheme in each stanza.” I must correct this.

   Revised explanation for Rhyme Scheme:
   The poem predominantly utilizes an ABAB end rhyme scheme in its stanzas, as seen in the second, third, and fourth quatrains. For example, in the second stanza, “arrayed” rhymes with “said,” and “talked” rhymes with “walked.” This regular pattern creates a sense of musicality and order, which ironically contrasts with the chaotic and unexpected ending. However, the first stanza deviates slightly with an ABCB scheme, where “him” rhymes with “slim,” but “town” and “toe” do not rhyme with each other or the B rhymes. This slight variation in the opening stanza might subtly introduce a sense of slight imperfection or a less rigid structure, even amidst the apparent perfection of Cory.

3. Meter (Iambic Pentameter)
   “Richard Cory” is written primarily in iambic pentameter, a common meter in English poetry. Iambic pentameter consists of five “iambs” per line, where an iamb is a metrical foot containing one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (da-DUM). This creates a formal, measured, and often stately rhythm. For example, consider the opening line:

   “Whenever Richard Cory went down town,”

   The consistent da-DUM da-DUM rhythm lends a sense of dignity and gravitas to the description of Richard Cory, further emphasizing his elevated status and the townspeople’s reverent perception of him. This formal meter, like the regular stanza form and rhyme, creates an expectation of order and predictability, which is then dramatically shattered by the poem’s shocking conclusion.

The Enduring Message of “Richard Cory”

“Richard Cory” remains a compelling and thought-provoking poem because it challenges us to look beyond the surface, question our assumptions, and recognize the hidden struggles that may exist in the lives of others. It is a timeless reminder that true wealth lies not in material possessions or outward appearances, but in inner peace, genuine human connection, and perhaps, the courage to share one’s burdens. The poem’s powerful narrative and masterful use of literary and poetic devices ensure its place as a profound exploration of the human condition, prompting readers to reflect on what truly constitutes a rich and fulfilling life.