Whenever Richard Cory went downtown,

Original Poetry

Whenever Richard Cory went downtown, 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. Edwin Arlington Robinson

Translation

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 he still made hearts race when he said, ‘Good-morning,’ and he shone when he walked. And he was wealthy - yes, richer than a king --- And perfectly trained in every manner: In short, we thought he was everything To make us wish we were in his position. So we kept working, hoping for better times, And went without luxuries, and complained about the basics; And Richard Cory, one calm summer night, Went home and shot himself in the head.

Explanation

The poem 'Richard Cory' by Edwin Arlington Robinson tells the story of a man who appears to have everything: wealth, grace, and admiration from those around him. The townspeople envy his lifestyle and wish to be like him, believing that his life is perfect. However, the poem takes a dark turn when it reveals that Richard Cory, despite his outward success and charm, is deeply unhappy and ultimately takes his own life. This stark contrast between appearance and reality serves as a commentary on the hidden struggles that individuals may face, regardless of their social status or material wealth. The poem explores themes of isolation, the deceptive nature of appearances, and the profound impact of mental health issues.

Word Dictionary

Word	Easy Meaning	Translation	Pron.
gentleman	a well-mannered man	a man of good social standing and manners	jen-tl-muhn
crown	top of the head	the highest part of something, like a head	kraun
imperially	royally	in a grand or majestic manner	im-peer-ee-uh-lee
arrayed	dressed	clothed or dressed in a particular way	uh-reyd
fluttered	moved quickly	caused excitement or nervousness	fluh-terd
glittered	shone brightly	sparkled or shone with a shimmering light	glit-erd
admirably	in a commendable way	in a way that is impressive or deserving praise	ad-muh-ruh-blee
grace	elegance	smoothness and elegance of movement	greys
cursed	complained about	expressed dissatisfaction or annoyance	kurst

Poet & Context

PoetEdwin Arlington Robinson

EraLate 19th to early 20th century

Edwin Arlington Robinson was an American poet known for his short poems about the inner lives of ordinary people. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry three times and was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature four times.

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When1897

WhyThe poem reflects the disparity between outward appearances and inner realities, a common theme in Robinson's work. It highlights the isolation and despair that can exist beneath a seemingly perfect exterior.

FormNarrative poem

Themes & More

Themes

Appearances vs. RealityIsolationDespair

Literary devices

Irony: The poem uses irony in the contrast between Richard Cory's outward appearance and his inner despair.Imagery: Vivid descriptions of Richard Cory's appearance and demeanor create a strong visual image.Symbolism: Richard Cory symbolizes the idea that wealth and status do not guarantee happiness.