"Richard Cory" By Edwin Arlington Robinson (1897)
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.
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.
Bonus points for anyone who can interpret this visually... (take a picture--you may not steal one from the internet).
ReplyDeleteI drew a picture but am unsure of how to upload it on here...I will bring it in to class tomorrow.
DeleteThis poem is about what seemed to be a perfect man who everyone was jealous of and strived to be. He had money,looks,manners, and was a full package. Then one day he killed himself which goes to show that no one has a perfect life. No one really knows what goes on behind closed doors. This poem teaches you to not be jealous of people because you have no idea what they might be going through.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anika. Everyone seems to believe that Richard Cory has it all. What they don't see is that he is suffering on the inside. You never know what could be happening in someone's life if you only make assumptions about them.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing in the tone of the poem to suggest that he was disliked in any way. In fact, though his richness was said to be greater than a king's, it's only mentioned in one line and there's no mentioning of material wealth. If anything, people were jealous of who he was as a person, and not of what he had.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that the poem is about how wealth cannot buy happiness. Someone who has a lot of money may not be happy. It does not say anywhere that he had a spouse or someone whom he loved, and what good is wealth if you have no one to spend it with.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is very ironic. It describes a rich, nice looking man who seems to be enjoying his life, then one day commits suicide. Looks can be deceiving and you never know what is going on in someones mind.
ReplyDeleteI think this poem is saying that nobody has a perfect life. Richard Cory seemed to have everything. However, he lacked happiness; his life was not as perfect as it seemed. Moreover, I think this poem is demonstrating that looks can be deceiving. The diction of this poem describes Richard Cory as a king. For example, the words "imperially", "crowned", "glittered" cause the reader to associate Richard Cory with a king. With this in mind, I assumed Cory, like a king, carried several burdens and underwent much stress. This, I believe, is what caused him to kill himself.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with everyone else that Richard Corey was a good guy but maybe stress is what took him down. Just to not sound like everybody, what if he instead of being a good person he was once a bad person and is now trying to make up for his wrong doings. This would also help to explain his large amount of money and no people he loved like max said. Then his past could have caught up to him forcing him to put a bullet in his head. Just something to think about even if it is a bit far fetched.
ReplyDeleteThe poem shows how people don't always know the truth and how they just judge by appearance without knowing what's really happening with that guy. The guy obviously had problems (that's why he committed suicide) but people didn't see that, they only saw the "happy person" that might've never been there.
ReplyDeleteActually this poem depressed me...
This poem started out very pleasant and happy. Richard Cory seemed like a very admirable person. His money and success made others jealous, but it did not make him happy. This also shows that money cannot buy happiness. Maybe his struggle to keep the perfect image finally broke him down.
ReplyDeleteThis poem starts out sounding envious of Richard Cory. Nobody expected the last line because its not a fairytale and most people may thing everything ends in a happily ever after. There is also nothing in the tone that suggests a shift until the end. He was a man that everyone seemed to envy and to be him. They thought that if someone was rich, they were happy. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Some people say, “You know y name not my story.” This could be applied to the poem because they only knew his name but not him himself.
ReplyDeleteI think that Richard's money brought him depression instead of joy because everyone else would probably want that wealth, but they can;t have it, so he killed himself.
ReplyDeleteThe tone through out he whole poem gives us the idea that Richard Cory is a happy man that, to an outside eye, looks like he has it all. The tone shift at the end where he shots him self is abrupt and unexpected just as it would be to shoot a gun. The meaning of the poem is to show that just because someone has lots of money and infinite friends doesn't mean they're really happy.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the poem I thought the people were jealous of Richard Cory because he's rich and "clean favored" and everyone wants to switch places with him. The I was surprised to read at the end that Richard Cory shot himself. Maybe he puts out a message that he's well of and happy but really inside he's actually sad and lonely. I think everyone thought that he must be happy because he's rich but money doesn't buy happiness.
ReplyDeleteI really like this poem. Throughout the whole thing, its clear that Richard Cory has a lot of material wealth and could easily have friends, but he lacks happiness. The way the speaker describes everyone being jealous of Richard makes me wonder if being so exalted and such an object of jealousy for everyone made him feel alone, as though nobody would understand or treat him like a normal person due to his wealth and his seemingly perfect life. Like some people said above, Richard may have felt the alone-ness, stress and the feeling that nobody can truly be one's friend, like a king, who may be alone with many responsibilities. Kings, like Richard Cory, may not be able to find friends who are truly friends because people feel that they are so high up that they can't be friends.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is prime example of what people assume about others. When you walk down the street or look at your neighbors you will judge then based upon there appearance, actions, and attitude. There is a down fall to doing this tho. This is what the people in the poem do to Richard, they made assumptions about him and in the end they were wrong. People are deceived by Richards glittering walk and wealth that they failed to see what he was feeling underneath all of that. The author is trying to show the consequences for assuming facts about a person.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the poem it seemed like everyone knew who Richard Cory was and wanted to be him. It seemed like he was wealthy and lived the life that most people can only dream of. But in the end he committed suicide, the message this poem is trying to send is that no ones life is perfect and that money cant buy happiness. The tone at the beginning of the story starts out very bright and happy but at the last line the tone shifts to being mournful.
ReplyDeleteI was no expecting the poem to end the way it did which tells me something. Even if someone is rich or seems happy, you can never know how that person actually feels. Today, we look at someone walking down the street smiling and the first thing we think is that person is having a good day and/or is feeling great. The truth is we judge too quickly without even thinking.
ReplyDeleteI strangely enjoyed this poem, not because it is sad and depressing, but because it was shocking. Richard Cory seemed to be a perfect man. He had everything he could have ever wanted, but he ended up killing himself. This poem is awesome because without the last line, this poem could have been so sweet and uplifting. The tone started off happy but drastically changed at the last line. I love poems or pieces of literature that catch you off guard and shock you, and this is definitely one.
ReplyDeleteI really like this poem, even though the last line puts a damper on everything. I think that the diction is very interesting because the language always elevates Richard Cory in comparison to the people "on the pavement." He's described as richer than a king and "admirably schooled." My favorite examples of this praising language are when he's described as "imperially slim", like it makes him more regal and important. And then also when the narrator says "he was a gentleman from sole to crown." They could have chosen any number of words but using crown gives the impression that the people saw him as royalty.
ReplyDeleteRichard Cory appeared to have everything: wealth, respect, and good character. Everyone, including the narrator, regarded his presence as if he were some sort of king. I don't think they were jealous of him, but likely admired his humility and kindness. His actions, though, show that he was an unhappy man underneath his noble exterior. It's possible that his demeanor distracted the other townsfolk and they didn't notice his suffering. This poem reminds the reader that people aren't just one layer of emotions. They may have problems that they keep to themselves, only to surprise everyone when they surface.
ReplyDeleteIn this poem people seem to describe Richard Coy as someone they want to be and seems perfect to them. The people say he was rich, nice, and lovable, but the end is very surprising when the reader figures out he committed suicide. This is ironic because the first two lines of the last stanza are saying that people did everything to be in his place and then he kills himself. It the night was also described as calm which shows irony because someone killing themself does not appear to be calm. I really like this poem because it shows how people can be happy on the outside and have people think they want to be them, but the thing the people don't know is that they might not be as happy as they seem on the inside. Also, every other line in the poem rhymes, which adds playfulness to the poem.
ReplyDeleteSo basically everyone admires Richard Cory and they believe he has it all. Everyone one wants to be like him, but can never obtain a status like him. Then one day he just goes and kills himself. Did he commit suicide because he lived a lonely depressing life, or just felt empty even though he had it all? It seems like its an AB rhyming pattern where the end of every other line rhymes. The narrator seems to be jealous of the subject character.
ReplyDeleteIn this poem, RIchard Cory is admired and you can tell that there is something peculiar about him because the poem's title is his name which gives him praise and foreshadows an unexpected event. The narrator and others admire him and describe him by using positive diction like "gentleman" and "glittered". This sets the tone of the poem to pacific admiration until the last line. Even the second to last line continued the tone because it says "one calm summer night" instead of saying " a stormy night" because it emphasizes that it was just an ordinary day. This shows that he was on the verge of killing himself everyday because he felt sad everyday. This stresses the fact that even though he looked cheerful everyday he was miserable from the inside.
ReplyDeleteThis pome talks about how Richard Cory always appeared to be happy and have a great life but it turns out he did not. Infract he was quite distressed, distressed enough to kill himself. At first glance Richard Cory looked to be perfect but it seams like no one to the time to get to know him and actually talk to him about anything.
ReplyDeleteSo Richard Cory is this guy that everybody admires. Everybody wants to be him, however the other people do not know what is actually going on in his life. Apparently he was so depressed he killed himself. Maybe the reason he killed himself is because everyone was so jealous of him he had no real friends. This poem is teaching us that no one, no matter how perfect they seem are really perfect.
ReplyDeleteThe poem starts out in a light mood. It seemed that the narrator admired Richard Corry because he seemed to be perfect. The lines rhyme in ab, ab pattern. Richard Corry seemed to have everything but the last line showed that he truly had nothing. The poor went home to nothing but Richard Corry with everything alson came home to mothing so he committed suicide.
ReplyDeleteAll of the people see Richard Cory as the ideal person: he was a gentleman, he was rich, and he was educated. While he is described by the speaker, a common worker, in a very positive way, it is never mentioned that Richard Cory has any friends or any family. It reminds me of Kurt Cobain where it seems a person is so successful, but they are actually very unhappy. I think the speaker would still want to be Richard Cory because he is envious of his wealth, and he doesn't think he himself could be miserable if he was like Richard Cory.
ReplyDeleteA million points to you, Dylan!
DeleteIn this poem, Richard Coy was a wealthy man viewed blessed in everything from the people who admired him. They respected him (a little too much), to them, he was more than an idealization rather than a person. Richard was never really befriended by any of them, but he was only admired and had the desire to be him. He later became isolated and incredibly lonely. He was viewed as "having it all" yet the only thing he mostly desired was friendship. This never occurred to his admires that he had the same need as them as well. Having enough with the unbearable loneliness, Coy took his own life. Very sad poem.
ReplyDeleteThis poem truly demonstrates the idea that money doesn't buy happiness. This guy appeared to have it all, but inside he was unhappy, probably lonely, and depressed. He was missing something in his life, and he had been searching for that his entire. However, people could not fathom that he was missing something and they would never understand his suffering. He could not take the misunderstanding anymore, so he did the only thing he thought could help. He put a bullet through his head. I think this poem captures the unexpectedness and surprise people felt when they learned he had killed himself by putting the final twist as the last line.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the tone of the poem is very light and innocent, laudatory towards the man Richard Cory, therefore I was not expecting the last line. The rhyme scheme creates rhythm and adds to the nonchalant mood the narrator creates. Richard Cory is described as a wealthy man, subject to envy by those around him. Although others feel respect and admiration towards him, he does not feel it himself. All of his money cannot buy him happiness.
ReplyDeleteShooooooot (like the way Mater the Towtruck from Pixar's "Cars" and "Cars 2" says it [no pun intended, with the shoot and the dead guy with a bullet in his head thing])! The descriptions of Mr. Cory seem to allude to the fact that he is quite wealthy, yet he was murdered by
ReplyDeletean assassin who so precisely shot him that anyone not part of the Bat-family (i.e. Batman, Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing etc.) wouldn't be able to detect that the murderer (most likely Deadshot) had killed him and then placed a firearm weapon near his corpse. Thus, being the irony that a high paid assassin (who Ricky could've bought) killed a wealthy Mr. R. Cory. When the narrator mentions "he always talks human," would raise suspicion that our man, Richard, is in fact not a human. Now that we all see that our pet beast is human formed, it makes complete sense on why he's making money in the bizzank!! I firmly believe that Cory could've been shiner than a vampire (with the "glittering" thing) , and more powerful than the Hulk, but sadly Deadshot ruined all that. Or so we think...
DeleteThis dude has everything one dreams of. He had money and was liked. He then unexpectedly kills himself. He was missing something still.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is about a really rich and respected man. Every one admires him and everyone wants to be like him. Although he seems to be happy and perfect, inside he was probably really sad and depressed and no one understood that until he killed himself. I like this poem a lot even though it's very sad.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is pretty straightforward; a man who seems like he has every reason to be happy from the outside is actually internally worse off than people like the speaker. I found it interesting that the speaker said he put a bullet through his head "on a calm summer night", which you typically would expect to be a peaceful scene.
ReplyDeletethis is so sad. It is totally accurate in how it describes how people can put on such effective masks, and how you really never know someone. He may seem perfect on the outside, but on the inside, he is in complete turmoil, and then hes gone. Just that fast and now everyone feels lost. As a side note, each line has exactly 10 sylables.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of the poem, you feel that this a perfect man and doesn't have any flaws. But at the end, you find out he's depressed. On the outside, he is a bright and happy man but no one knows about what he actually feels. It's sad because people respect him but he doesn't respect himself.
ReplyDeleteIn this poem, Richard Cory seems to have it all and shocks the people of the village when he goes home one day and puts a gun to his head. Because they are all poor and starving, the village people think that if they had money that all the problems in their life would be solved. This reminds me of "The Bluest Eye" and how Pecola thinks having blue eyes will solve all her problems. Neither of these things are true, as Richard Cory had money and was obviously unhappy and tons of people with blue eyes are not happy. The message of this poem is to not assume things about people because you may not know the whole story.
ReplyDeleteI think this poem is very depressing because people assumed richard cory was very happy because he was rich but no one realized how he was actually feeling. Then he took his own life.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is practically expressing the idea that happiness is not achieved when one contains the "most perfect" aspects of life. Usually people envy those who seem to be well off and have everthing come easy to them. The people almost thrive to be him because of how perfect he is. When the reader is told that he killed himself, the reader sees the whole point of the poem. I believe the shift starts at "so." This is probably my second favorite poem so far.
ReplyDeleteHi Carissa! I'm showing Spencer how to post.
DeleteRichard Coy seems like a wealthy man that holds a high position in society. He's rich, seems respectful, kind; he has everything every common worker/laborer would want. The tone of the poem seems calm, however it changes at the end. "And Richard Cory, one calm summer night, Went home and put a bullet through his head." No matter how respected Richard Cory was, he was depressed, mentally unstable on the inside. It doesn't always mean that if a man is happy, he'll be at peace with himself, no amount of money can buy happiness.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the whole poem you get the idea that Richard Coy is super wealthy, happy, and has this perfect life; until, the last two lines. It is very unexpected and definently the shift in the poem. This poem shows us how even though someone may look happy or just because they have a lot of money, does not mean they are truly happy.
ReplyDeleteI like this poem because it is easy to read and it feels like a real story to me unlike how the "a leaf falls" poem was very difficult to read and was not a complete story. This whole poem has a pleasant mood and implies that Richard Cory has a perfect life. I was expecting this to be the case thoroughout the whole poem. When I read the very last two lines of the poem, I realized I was wrong. I think this poem can be used to show how just because someone seems happy, doesn't mean that they really are.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you got my response when I originally published it, so I will re-write it and hopefully get a tiny credit.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is very depressing because it shows that things that may seem happy and joyous are hiding dark secrets.
People desire what they can't have. They see something that is seemingly perfect, and wish to achieve that. Although the object of this infatuation may be not was it seems.
This poem reflects on the notion that no matter how good someone's life seems on the outside, it can always be the worst on the inside. Like Ms. Potato says, something extremely important comes after the colon. In this poem after the colons, there are descriptions of how good Richard Cory's life is. The poem is a big description of how grand and perfect his life is, but it all leads up to him just ending his life. No build up to it, it just drops it on us. Like the realization that no matter how great a person's life is, is can always be exactly the opposite.
ReplyDelete