
As the saying goes, people are not always who they appear to be. This cliché is expressed and could not be held any truer than it is in the poem “Richard Cory.”  Edwin Arlington Robinson’s “Richard Cory” focuses on a wealthy man who seems to have it all before he surprisingly ends his life one “calm summer night.”  This poem illustrates the false view outsiders may have on a person before they actually realize who that person is.  Robinson develops this theme through symbolism, irony, and word choice.

Throughout the poem, symbolism is a prevalent way Robinson develops the theme of “Richard Cory.” In the poem, objects like “meat,” “bread,” and “light” are associated with the lifestyle of the narrator and the people.  “So on we worked, and waited for the light, And went without the meat, and cursed the bread” (lines 13-14). The way the people “waited for the light” (line 13) may be a metaphor for poverty which the people are waiting for to end. The light serves as a symbol of hope and life away from neediness. In addition, the way the people “went without meat, and cursed the bread,” (line 14) shows the frustration amongst the people over the life they live. These symbols are significant because they contrast with how others perceive Cory’s life, from afar. This shows even more how much better Cory’s life seems compared to the people that observe him.  Because of this contrast in lifestyles, the people looked up to Cory even more which made them think “that he was everything” (line 11) and made them “wish that we were in his place” (line 12).  Being such a wealthy person, it raises an interesting question as to if the people realize that their own labor is what makes Cory such a rich man. Either way, the manner in which the people placed Cory on a pedestal, contributes to the theme of the poem especially when the man everyone admired kills himself.

The diction Robinson uses in this poem presents Cory in a flattering but ultimately misleading way. In the first stanza, Robinson describes Cory as “a gentleman from sole to crown” (line 3). The choice of the word “crown” provides a dual meaning which contributes to the portrayal of Cory.  Rather than saying that Richard was a gentleman from “sole to head” he chooses the word “crown” because it creates a royal connotation while still keeping the meaning of the line. Another example of creating a regal implication was when Richard Cory was described as “imperially slim” (line 4). However, describing Cory’s slenderness as imperial makes the line show his majestic qualities, which add a deeper meaning.  In addition, the description of how Cory “glittered as he walked” (line 8) and “fluttered pulses” (line 7) when he greeted people, further shows how Robinson’s word choice lets the readers know how captivated the people in the poem are by Cory. This example of word choice in the poem truly makes the reader view Richard Cory as a larger than life person. In the last stanza, Robinson writes of Cory’s suicide happening on a “calm summer night” (line 11). This contrast of something dark and emotional like a suicide, with a serene and peaceful setting of a “calm summer night,” further enhances the theme that what people may think of someone is not always accurate.

The use of irony in “Richard Cory” fosters the theme that someone is not always who they appear to be from the outside.  Throughout the entire poem, the only point of view the audience has of Richard Cory is from the people viewing him. By the narrator describing Cory in a way that makes everyone want to be him, the poem’s ending comes as a shock to them and to us, readers.  For example, the narrator describes Cory as “a gentleman from sole to crown” (line 3) and “clean favored and imperially slim” (line 4).  The word choice here makes him seem majestic when the narrator says he “glittered when he walked” (line 8) and that he was “richer than a king” (line 9).  All of these descriptions cause the reader to view Cory from the perspective of the bystanders who only see the appearances of him. This leads the audience to think that Cory has everything in his favor and that he lives a wonderful and lavish life. However, the irony comes into play when we discover in the fourth stanza that Cory “went home and put a bullet through his head” (line 12). For the most part, this ending comes as shock because there is not really any hint that Richard is depressed. However, in line five of the poem, Cory is described as “quietly arrayed.” This line leaves a small clue to the audience as to what will happen in the end. Apart from that one line, this ironic twist at the end of the text is what makes the poem so memorable and lends it such a universal theme.  

Not many students today may study poetry, but “Richard Cory” is a great place for fresh readers of this writing style to start.  With a theme that is so relatable to people, there is a lot to be taken away from this work.  The singsong rhythm and style of the poem work very effectively with the unique and powerful elements Robinson uses to convey the theme.  Overall, the way the strangers view Richard Cory show that though someone may appear to have it all, behind the outside appearance there may be a very different person. 
