The Reality of the American Dream: The Poem Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson

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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...f the American Dream. Here is this fine gentleman, who is living the American Dream, but decides to commit suicide. The author uses symbolism and irony to portray this theme throughout the entire poem. In conclusion, this poem raises a very serious question. Does this concept of success and materialism that we call the American Dream really coincide with happiness?

Works Cited

Arp, Thomas R., Greg Johnson, and Laurence Perrine. Perrine's Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense. 11th ed. Australia: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012. Print.

"Overview: "Richard Cory"" Overview: "Richard Cory" Gale Research. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. .

Sweet, Charles, Jr. "On "Richard Cory"" On "Richard Cory" Modern American Poetry. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. .