Whenever Richard Cory went down town,

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Poème original

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.

Traduction

Whenever Richard Cory went to town, We people on the sidewalk watched him: He was a gentleman from head to toe, Well-groomed, and elegantly thin. And he was always dressed simply, And he was always friendly when he spoke; But still he made hearts race when he said, "Good-morning," and he shone when he walked. And he was rich—yes, richer than a king— And perfectly educated in every way: In short, we thought he was everything That made us wish we were in his place. So we kept working, hoping for better times, And went without meat, and cursed the bread; And Richard Cory, one calm summer night, Went home and shot himself in the head.

Explication

The poem 'Richard Cory' by Edwin Arlington Robinson explores the theme of appearance versus reality. Richard Cory is depicted as a wealthy, well-mannered, and admired individual who seems to have everything one could desire. The townspeople envy him and aspire to be like him, believing that his life is perfect. However, the poem takes a dark turn when it reveals that despite his outward success and the admiration he receives, Richard Cory is deeply unhappy and ultimately takes his own life. This shocking conclusion underscores the idea that external appearances can be deceiving and that wealth and status do not guarantee happiness. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the hidden struggles that individuals may face, regardless of how they are perceived by society.

Dictionnaire des mots

Mot	Sens simple	Traduction	Pron.
gentleman	man of good manners	a nice man who behaves well

Whenever Richard Cory went down town, — Poème | Poetry Explainer