explain the meaning of edwin robinson's poem,entitled "richard cory"?

Answer 1

You have several fine comments on Richard Cory, but they too have failed to reflect the entire scope of the poem that is a veritible parable on success and happiness.

Richard Cory had it all, was the envy of all, and everyone wanted to be Richard Cory...they didn't want to be "like" Richard Cory, they wanted to "be" Richard Cory.

What the author is trying to convey is the concept that there is no "perfect" life, that every life, rich or poor, educated or illiterate, has its drawbacks. In Richard Cory, even the dullest, poorest, unsophisticated man ended up with more than Richard Cory. Who you are today, your success, riches, education, etc., does not mean you are immune to anything... not to disease, mental illness, blackmail, an accident, or suicide. The author was saying, "yesterday everyone wanted to be Richard Cory, but today Richard Cory's dead and I don't think anyone would like to trade places with him now." It isn't just a case of the grass being greener, it's a case of every rose has its thorns, of "be careful what you wish for", of "there is a balance to nature", of "to every yin there is a yang", of "what goes up, must come down." The cliches are endless, and rather than repeat any of them, Edwin Robinson eliquently told a story, with the most proper poetic form (in context with the nature of Richard Cory), that said all of that in a simple story that resonates where words alone fall flat. And "that" is why the poem is as vibrant and poignant today as it was when it was written.

Answer 2

Richard Cory Poem Analysis

Answer 3

The others are right in what they've said, but they neglected another part of a complete answer which is fairly obvious by the lack of transition between RC's description and death.

The poem simply uses a man's suicide to show that public appearance can be very very different from private reality. RC's sadness, happiness, etc. are not really important to meaning because they are basically statements of the poem -- not the meanings.

Most critics divide the worth of a poem into three general areas to make the poem's analysis a bit easier to chew. I paraphrase the typical divisions into what is said, how it's said, and was it worth saying in the first place. Sadness/happiness and all that is part of how it's said in this poem. What is actually said however, is a statement of contrasts, public and private. I believe it was well enough done and on a topic rarely enough addressed well to have made it worth saying in the first place.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

Richard Cory Poem

Answer 5

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/axJww

The Good Abu Zahid Our friend Zahid fired salvos, that were great Though not hitting the mark, each shot still bursts You might say, sometimes, even, it's a treat But you know, when a "dud" hits, it still hurts. Mateo Le linee sono ottimi e buoni consigli Might be good welcome for friend from the East Giving him more "soup" from the start only Later on the hard stuff may come as best. Assalaam Allykum, wi Raamatullah السلام عليكم ، الله يكون معك ) Allah helps, and may always be with you Let your pen be sweet as your "marhaba" (ا(مرحبا To never say the most tearful "adieu" I've heard you called somebody "habiba" ( جميل) A welcome change for what we always read Keep it up, my friend, I'd say "arriba" Poisoned arrows are what we want to rid. Zahid gives but a crumb in plates of gold As best his lines are only such in verse But look, our adept friends, their pens would hold Full loaves, but wormy, as their lines were terse.

Answer 6

We are often in admiration of what we see as positive points in other people, Sometimes even to the point of envy.
The admiration for Richard Cory, from his appearance to his education., wealth and speech.
What I see is the private anguish, maybe even chronic depression that he has tried to cover by portraying himself as the perfect figure, most certainly one to be admired, but it didn't work to cover his own personal torment.

Answer 7

The grass is always greener on the other side. While everyone admired him because they thought he had such a great life, in reality, he was a sad lonely man. Enough so that he took his own life to escape the misery of it.

Answer 8

I agree with the other answer. I think it also has to do with making judgments and assumptions about other people. No one would have expected that because they all assumed he was happy on account of their judgments of his "wonderful" life.