Robinson uses many examples of irony to accurately portray the brutal truth of life throughout “Richard Cory.” The poem begins with avid descriptions of Richard Cory as he appears to the narrator, who describes Cory as “a gentleman from sole to crown” (3) and “richer than a king” (9). Richard Cory’s status is revealed immediately through the narrator’s description showing that Richard Cory is obviously a wealthy, high-class gentleman. However, at the end of the poem it is revealed that Cory has killed himself despite all of his riches. Hoyt Franchere calls it an “ironic portrait of a ‘gentleman’ a man who has everything…yet commits suicide” (qtd. in Rollyson 212). The irony of the situation helps to show the brutality of life in that even though
