Research paper on Edwin Arlington Robinson

Robinson's "Richard Cory" lets us closely examine appearances in contrast with reality. All who knew of Richard Cory held him in reverence; they glorified him and were quite jealous of his lifestyle. "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.... In fine we thought that he was everything to make us wish that we were in his place" gives a perfect example of how highly Richard Cory was thought of by "the people on the pavement" and how they wished to be of his status.

How did EA Robinsons difficult childhood years contributed to his dark style of writing/poems?

Those who watched Richard Cory every time he went into town might have desired all Cory had and was, but they were deceived by his rejection of the eminence that his fellows would accord him. "And Richard Cory, one calm summer night, went home and put a bullet through his head," (Joyner, 358) although it may seem somewhat an ironic and abrupt ending, it suits the theme well, quickly identifying the concept of appearance versus identity. Robinson also shows us appearances versus reality through his use of poetic language.

Robinson's use of imagery, and irony enhances the poem greatly. Robinson uses imagery throughout the course of his poem. "And he was always quietly arrayed...and he glittered when he walked," Robinson uses visually stimulating words and phrases to show the magnitude of a man that was Richard Cory. Robinson also makes use of irony in "Richard Cory," enabling us to understand the truth of Cory's existence, that of a sad man, no better than any of those "on the pavement." "And Richard Cory, one calm summer night, went home and put a bullet through his head," after all that reverence, Richard Cory was in all respects unhappy(www.english.illinois.edu). This use of poetic language in "Richard Cory" provokes feelings of grandness and jealousy.

When Richard Cory's fellows looked at him, they saw him as of royalty, of pertaining to that which heavenly or divine; howbeit, they were looking through eyes full of envy. Richard was held in high regards. "And he was rich - yes, richer than a king - and admirably schooled in every grace," his ranking alongside Kings gives a sense of how grand a man the townspeople made Cory out to be(Humphrey, 25-256). People on the street admired Cory from afar; they wished to be him, to walk in his shoes, they coveted his very essence. "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 meat, and cursed the bread..." the extent of their jealousy runs far. However, "We wear the mask" by Dunbar, in it's own way, also deals with the same principles of appearance versus reality as did "Richard Cory." (Joyner, 358)

"We wear the mask" ...