In the poem, “Richard Cory,” Edwin A. Robinson emphasizes the idea that people do not really know one another, and sometimes our perspective of an individual is skewed. Today there are standards regarding the expectations and desires of humanity. Individuals that have the “desirable” characteristics are considered superior and are envied by the rest of us. However, exceeding the societal norms does not guarantee happiness. In the poem, Richard Cory seems to have it all, but in fact was miserable enough to take his own life. Robinson uses diction, tone and irony to create a scenario that has an unexpected twist in the end to surprise the readers.
According to The Bedford Introduction to Literature, formal diction is “the diction that consists of a dignified, impersonal, and elevated use of language” (pp.802). Robinson uses a formal diction that reflects the respect Richard has from the people and the distant relationship between him and the rest of his town. He uses connotations, such as “crown” (3), “imperially” …show more content…
The ironic representation is the city idolizing Richard Cory, thinking he had everything a man could ask for, yet he shoots himself, surprising the entire town as well the readers. Regardless of being envied by the inhabitants of his town like a hero due to his money, position, power, admiration, good looks and intelligence, Richard Cory was actually quite miserable and the people felt as though their existence had no more value when he decides to end his life. Just a desperate and sad man takes a gun and terminates his life that way. Obviously no one really knew the real Richard because if they did, they would not have seen him as the great individual he was cooked up to be. The author creates a expectative for a happy ending, and surprises readers with a twisted end when Richard committed suicide. It just goes to show that money does not buy happiness and a book cannot be judged by its
According to The Bedford Introduction to Literature, formal diction is “the diction that consists of a dignified, impersonal, and elevated use of language” (pp.802). Robinson uses a formal diction that reflects the respect Richard has from the people and the distant relationship between him and the rest of his town. He uses connotations, such as “crown” (3), “imperially” …show more content…
The ironic representation is the city idolizing Richard Cory, thinking he had everything a man could ask for, yet he shoots himself, surprising the entire town as well the readers. Regardless of being envied by the inhabitants of his town like a hero due to his money, position, power, admiration, good looks and intelligence, Richard Cory was actually quite miserable and the people felt as though their existence had no more value when he decides to end his life. Just a desperate and sad man takes a gun and terminates his life that way. Obviously no one really knew the real Richard because if they did, they would not have seen him as the great individual he was cooked up to be. The author creates a expectative for a happy ending, and surprises readers with a twisted end when Richard committed suicide. It just goes to show that money does not buy happiness and a book cannot be judged by its