Poem Paraphrase paper

Poem Paraphrase Paper

When Richard Cory entered the business district all of the townspeople would stand aside and watch him. He was trim and clean cut. He was very rich and knowledgeable. He was also extremely privileged. The townspeople wanted to be him. They continue to work their lives away. One day Richard Cory killed himself. This brief summary of Edwin Arlington Robinson’s “Richard Cory” does not capture the true emotion and irony presented in the original poem. It excludes many uses of connotation, which help the reader build a clear mental picture. In the paraphrase it uses far more words to explain what exactly is happening in Richard Cory’s life. The poem “Richard Cory” is known for its use of irony and word association. Throughout the poem Robinson’s use of phrases such as “imperially slim”, “from sole to crown”, and “schooled in every grace” give you a strong mental image of what Richard Cory looks like and how he presents himself which certainly leaves you feeling as if he is of royalty. There are also many other royal connections such as the use of the line “He was rich-yes, richer than a king-” and also just by the main characters name alone, which is composed of the word Rich. Richard is also the name of many kings as well. In the paraphrase it fails to present certain word associations that readers would pick up on in the poem. Instead of using words that aid your imagination in the right direction it is very blunt for example by saying “He is very rich and knowledgeable” doesn’t quite leave the same effect as saying, “admirably schooled in every grace”. I do feel though that in the paraphrase it is far more shocking when Richard Cory’s suicide is announced because there is no clear foreshadowing presented. Where as in the poem it hinted as if he were only perfect on the surface by entering the line “In fine, we thought he was everything”. This leaves the lingering impression that something is truly wrong underneath his perfect exterior,