The Reality of the American Dream: The Poem
Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson
by Lillian Bonar
Essay: The Reality of the American Dream: The Poem Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson
Pages: 11
Rating: 3 stars
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As Americans, many of us believe in this principle of the American Dream. The American Dream, in its simplicity, is
the notion that anything, especially career wise, is achievable. We usually associate this concept with obtaining
material things, such as cars or a fancy house. But, even if you achieve your American Dream, complete with a car
and fancy house, does that really mean you achieved happiness? The poem “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington
Robinson is a testament to this idea that although someone may have everything there is to want, that does not
really mean they have true happiness.
The poem “Richard Cory” is a description and story of a man named Richard Cory, of course. The speaker of the
poem is an impoverished, blue-collar worker living in a place called Tilbury Town. Tilbury Town is a small,
industrial town created by Robinson that is filled with manual labor workers. The first stanza begins by describing
this amazing man, Richard Cory. The speaker of the poem is describing Richard Cory as he is figuratively watching
him. You will notice from the beginning that Robinson uses a lot of diction comparing Richard Cory to a king. The
speaker says that Richard Cory, “was a gentleman from sole to crown / Clean favored, and imperially slim” (3-4).
Although Cory already seems like this superior figure, the speaker allows him to seem more humble at the
beginning of the second stanza. The speaker says that, “he was always quietly arrayed / And he was always human
when he talked” (5-6). The speaker is saying that Cory presents himself in a very professional manner, yet not too
overpowering. Also, by saying that Cory is human when he talked shows that he tried to make people feel as if he
was equal to them. The end of the seco...
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