“Richard Cory,” a poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson in 1897, is about a local, wealthy man in New England who is idolized by many. He carried himself well, which attracted many people around him, as well as his quiet and modest charm. People idolized him because of his wealth, and people around him strived to get into his position of wealth. However, Cory ended his life one night, which is a surprise to readers, as it seems he had everything– money, education, and confidence. Let’s break down all four stanzas of this poem and the importance of this story connecting to the American Dream.
In the first stanza, Cory is introduced as receiving attention when he walks in town because he has the composure of a gentleman “from sole to crown.” (457). Although he is not introduced as a king, he is equated to being one, with the speaker of the poem using the word “crown” in place of “head”. This is the way fellow townsfolk see him, and it is safe to say that there was an economic disparity between local townspeople and Cory, which is addressed in the fourth stanza.
The second stanza of “Richard Cory” uses repetition when describing Cory with the phrase “he was always” in lines 5 and 6. This shows that Cory’s character is true, having consistency in the way he acts around others. This may be used as a moment to look back to after finishing the poem, as it contributes to the surprise of his death, as evidence of suicidal thoughts was not mentioned in the description of his character. Another description that contrasts his death is where the stanza ends, stating that Cory “glittered when he walked” (457). This indicates either the confidence in his step or the way he lit up the place with his elegant presence. Cory is shown as a modest and kind character; however, this is the perception of the town around him, and we do not get a glimpse into his personal life.
Robinson starts the third stanza with Cory being richer than a king. This could mean he has old money or inherited wealth from past generations of his family. He was also described as “admirably schooled in every grace” (10), which could be seen as a privilege in this period. It would mean that Cory had the means and social background to learn these types of manners and behavior.
Cory appears, on the surface, to have everything he needs to achieve the American Dream, and this is especially believed by the local community. Robinson uses “we” as the collective townsfolk persona, as he writes “In fine, we thought he was everything / To make us wish that we were in his place” (11-12). It is important to note that Robinson uses “we thought”, admitting that the townsfolk did not know the context of his life, and solely uses his appearance and actions as fact. Although this is still an effective way of gauging one’s personality, it should not be the only basis for understanding a person.
Drawing inspiration from their assumptions of Cory, the townsfolk strive to achieve wealth like him. Robinson starts the last stanza with the phrase “On we worked, and waited for the light / and went without the meat, and cursed the bread” (13-14). This is evidence of the economic disparity between Cory and the townsfolk, as many worked hard and waited for opportunities to climb the social ladder while going without food. This contrasts with the last line in the first stanza, describing Cory as “imperially slim” (457). This means he has enough food to sustain himself, yet he chooses to maintain a slim physique, which is also a privilege in this period. In the last two lines, Robinson ends the poem with “And Richard Cory, one calm summer night / Went home and put a bullet through his head” (15-16). The speaker of the poem says this abruptly, leaving the reader with a speechless response, much like how the local community would potentially feel after hearing this news. Furthermore, it is a strong example of situational irony in that the expectations that the reader has about Cory’s success are abruptly ended by the poet.
Overall, this poem is exemplary of American society and how its ideas of the American Dream can be misleading. In the poem, Richard Cory has wealth, good looks, charisma, and education. However, readers can potentially miss something when looking at the townsfolks’ perspective of Cory and can only assume what happened to Cory to make him end his life. Many people will idolize others without even knowing the cost of their success or the intentions of the idol. One example is former President Trump, who is now paying tens of millions of dollars for legal bills. He places his success on the false perception of power, which can be quickly destroyed without a deeper foundation of values. Thus, after the death of Cory, the community experiences a feeling of loss and confusion not only about his life but also about the trajectory of their own. If one has everything and still does not make it in life, what does that say for the people trying to make it? Therefore, this poem is a lesson not to base the American Dream on assumptions about someone’s appearance, as it is not enough to follow blindly a dream that is not one’s own.
Works Cited
Robinson, Edwin Arlington. “Richard Cory.” Discovering Poetry. Hans P. Guth and Gabriele L. Rico, ed. Blair Press, 1993. 457.