Richard Cory, by Edwin Arlington Robinson :: Poetry Analysis

Paraphrase A man named Richard Cory appe ard to have it each looks, a suave persona and a respectable social status. These qualities were prize and admired by the townspeople, even envied to a small degree. Despite his apparent perfect life, Richard Cory shot and killed himself.Purpose The purpose of this metrical composition is to show that people are not always who they appear to be. Moreover, the people that seem to have it all may still be emotionally unstable and act irrationally much(prenominal) as committing suicide.Structure There are 4 stanzas, each serves to reveal a different piece of information (1st stanza towns consensus about Richard Cory, second stanza personality, 3rd stanza social status, 4th status the abrupt, unforeseen ending of his life).Speaker There is one speaker and the POV is third person. Shift The shift in this poem occurs at the second to last line. Before this, the poem revolves around the, what seems to be, ideal life of Richard Cory. But at this l ine the poem ends abruptly with an unexpected suicide, express as an understatement.Syntax/Grammar/Diction There is repetition of always in relation to how the townspeople describe him. This means that Richard Corys public appearances were routine and invariable maybe even a false facade. The use of the colon to connect two full sentences serves to associate ideas. The diction of imperially slim (4), glittered (8), fluttered (7) and admirably schooled (11) all indicate Richard Corys apparent superiority over the rest of the townspeople.Tone The tone before the shift is admiring with a small hint of envy. The tone later on the shift is rather indifferent, there is no diction indicating remorse or any other emotion over his death.