Human Irony In Edwin Arlington Robinson's Richard Cory

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In Edwin Arlington Robinson’s column, “Richard Cory” he discusses human irony, and how things aren’t always how they seem. Richard Cory has exactly want everyone wants -fame, education, wealth, and power, but he still shot himself in the head. In the beginning of the poem, Richard is described as a man that has it all, “he was a gentleman from sole to crown, / Clean favored, and imperially slim,” suggesting that he was well groomed and clearly shows us that he was a man of privilege. Cory was rich, wearing fancy but conservative clothing, “And he was always quietly arrayed,” however, he did not act superior to the people “And he was always human when he talked.” The people thought that he was perfect “In fine, we thought that he was everything.”

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