What Does Richard Cory Represent

In Edwin Arlington Robinson’s “Richard Cory,” Richard Cory sets off a facade to the lower class citizens as being an all power and forever happy. Out of this facade the reader is lead down the persona of Richard Cory as appealing appearance, riches and glorious life. Why the superficial persona? The reader later finds out the fiction of that persona.

Society is influenced by Appearance. Often judgment is passed on a person based on their appearance. Judgment comes from each person’s frame of reference. A person that is gothic in appearance views another person who is gothic in appearance could find that person relatable. The same person who is gothic in appearance upon seeing a person who is dressed in name brands, preppy, clean shave with short hair could be judged by their appearance as un-relatable. Appearance drives judgment in American society, as well in the story of Richard Cory.

Appearance is also judged at a job interview. “Dress to impress,” reference is made due to the fact that you will be judged by how you look and what you wear. If

Societal views are that having money is having happiness. The more money that you have often assumes through a societal lens that a person of wealth is happy. Judgment comes from each person’s frame of reference. American culture also drives this attitude. The story of Richard Cory reveals that Wealth was also equated to happiness. If a person with little wealth finds happiness through purchasing an item that they typically could not afford. The example would lead you to believe that money makes you happy. In the story the author leads the readers that the downtown people admire Richard Cory based on his Wealth. Richard Cory was judged and envied by what his persona was. The downtown people represent people of a lower economic status. Due to this location reference Richard was not like them, Richard was judged that he was wealthy and