Edwin Arlington Robinson “Richard Cory” and Emily Dickinson “I’m Nobody! Who are you? “are two memorable poems that inspired generations of readers. Richard Cory defines what it means to be richer than a king and well known. While Emily Dickinson promotes an idea that she deeply valued. The idea signified privacy over popularity. Although the two iconic poets had many differences they shared similar characteristics, such as their appearance versus reality in society.
The initial interpretation of “I’m Nobody who are you?” leads the readers to suggest that her literature is written out of misery and Dickinson is depressed. Like most great poets it is necessary to understand Dickinson’s life in order to truly appreciate her poetry. Through …show more content…
Richard Corey and Dickinson both portray an appearance that does not conform to their reality. Richard Corey held a near perfect lifestyle that people envied. Richard Corey ended up putting a bullet through his head. This may seem like an ironic and abrupt ending but it fits the theme well of appearance versus reality. The truth is Richard Corey was a very sad man but his appearance seemed near perfect. Emily Dickinson begins her poem by speaking to an outsider like herself and warns them not to reveal their identity in fear of being rejected. Dickinson describes the life of a “somebody” is through their public status, being wealthy and educated. Emily Dickinson’s expression of herself and place in society did not begin as a “nobody”. Dickinson was from a well know respected family. Her grandfather founded Amherst College and her father was a lawyer. Dickinson’s appearance was a “somebody” at one point of her life while deep down inside strived to become a “nobody”. Dickinson did not believe in God and refused to become a Christian. Her agnostic beliefs caused her to become an outcast which we see in her poems. The appearance was that Dickinson was a “somebody” and slowly distanced herself from her the outside following her rejection. The constant rejections lead Dickinson to leave the outside world and change her appearance and
The initial interpretation of “I’m Nobody who are you?” leads the readers to suggest that her literature is written out of misery and Dickinson is depressed. Like most great poets it is necessary to understand Dickinson’s life in order to truly appreciate her poetry. Through …show more content…
Richard Corey and Dickinson both portray an appearance that does not conform to their reality. Richard Corey held a near perfect lifestyle that people envied. Richard Corey ended up putting a bullet through his head. This may seem like an ironic and abrupt ending but it fits the theme well of appearance versus reality. The truth is Richard Corey was a very sad man but his appearance seemed near perfect. Emily Dickinson begins her poem by speaking to an outsider like herself and warns them not to reveal their identity in fear of being rejected. Dickinson describes the life of a “somebody” is through their public status, being wealthy and educated. Emily Dickinson’s expression of herself and place in society did not begin as a “nobody”. Dickinson was from a well know respected family. Her grandfather founded Amherst College and her father was a lawyer. Dickinson’s appearance was a “somebody” at one point of her life while deep down inside strived to become a “nobody”. Dickinson did not believe in God and refused to become a Christian. Her agnostic beliefs caused her to become an outcast which we see in her poems. The appearance was that Dickinson was a “somebody” and slowly distanced herself from her the outside following her rejection. The constant rejections lead Dickinson to leave the outside world and change her appearance and