Richard Cory

Richard Cory, written by Edwin Arlington Robinson, is a poem that takes a unique spin at the end.  Richard Cory is portrayed as a very rich, nice, elegant man who seems that his life is perfect and that he has everything that he could dream of (Robinson 575).  It seems that everyone in the town wishes that they could have the life of Richard Cory.  Although Cory knew that he was rich - and he acted like it some times - he was still human in saying good morning to everyone that he came in contact with (Robinson 575).  The poem goes on saying that the people were struggling during this time period, and than it says that Cory killed himself, by putting a gun to his head. 

It makes you wonder what could make a man kill himself, when he seems to have everything imaginable?  Why would someone do that to themselves if they lived in a great life.  Thoreau believes that social reform must begin with one's self (Grant).  Thoreau also states that America has been ruined by luxury (Grant).  It makes sense to say that luxury ruined Richard Cory's life.  The audience sees what one has and thinks that must make them happy.  The man who lives that life, may totally think a different thing.  He may feel like that "stuff" does not make him happy and he would do anything to be happy.  No one can tell what makes someone happy and people are deceived by the riches in life, like Thoreau said.  Henry David Thoreau was not a believer of material wealth as "wealth can not buy freedom" (Cisco).  Emerson must have the same feelings to, because he states that harmony between man and nature will bring delight, and, since nature cannot be bought and is not a material item, Emerson must believe that money can not buy happiness.   All three writers, Emerson Thoreau, and Robinson all share the same feelings in that happiness must come from one's self and not from material things or money.

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "Nature." Ralph Waldo Emerson Texts. Web. 06 Feb. 2012.

Robinson, Edwin Arlington. “Richard Corey.” Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Ph.D. and Douglas Fisher, Ph.D. Glencoe Literature. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009. 575. Print.

Grant, P. B. "Individual and Society in

Walden." McClinton-Temple, Jennifer ed. Encyclopedia of

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. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2011. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=&iPin=ETL1133&SingleRecord=True (accessed January

30, 2012).Cisco, Michael. "Henry David Thoreau: Bachelor of Thought and Nature." In Bloom, Harold, ed. Henry David Thoreau, Bloom's BioCritiques. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishing, 2003. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 04 Mar. 2012.