Richard Cory Analysis

Richard Cory was a poem that I read in 8th grade. The story is put in the perspective of the entire town. The reader understands that the entire town looks up to, and even idolizes the man for his perfections. 

He was born into a world of wealth, and his class, and privilege, help motivate the townspeople to be in his place. Cory is characterized as an incredibly wealthy, slim, attractive, and respectful man. In the end the author states that Richard commits suicide, however the reason is never revealed. His death ultimately shows the townspeople, that even somebody who people think has everything in the world, can be utterly miserable. It also shows that happiness is not necessarily something that can be purchased. 

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.