Richard Cory

In the poem, Richard Cory is believed to be superior in contrast to the working people. The poem states, “Whenever Richard Cory went down town, we people on the pavement looked at him” (754). The working people had very little money and work consistently to survive, “So on we worked, and waited for the light, and went without the meat, and cursed the bread” (755). The people admired Richard Cory and wished to one day have the same wealth as Richard Cory, “And he was rich—yes, richer than a king” (755). Richard Cory is well-presented, and the people described Richard Cory appearance as “Cleaned favored, an imperially slim” (754). In the poem, the people also described Richard Cory as a “gentleman from sole to crown” (754) and “And admirably schooled in every grace” (755). Richard Cory symbolized everything a working man strived to accomplish, “To make us wish that we were in his place” (755). In the poem, the people represent the lower working-class and Richard Cory represents the higher level of society. The people hope to one day become like Richard Cory through hard work and determination. In the poem, clearly the people think Richard Cory has the perfect life and have no knowledge of the struggles Richard Cory faces.
Throughout the poem, the reader believes that Richard Cory is a legendary man. Richard Cory is depicted as a man who kept to himself, the poem states, “He was always quietly arrayed” (754). In the poem, the people also portray Richard Cory as down to earth, it states, “He was always human when he talked” (754). Richard Cory did not believe he was better than anyone else; he was humble. Richard Cory is also noticeable, the people stated, “He glittered when he walked” (754). Everyone held Richard Cory as in higher figure, so ending of the poem is surprising. The last line of the poem states, “Went home and put a bullet through his head” (755). The ending of the poem is shocking to the reader; the reader is not expecting Richard Cory to commit