Richard Cory, by Edwin Arlington Robinson :: Poetry Analysis

Paraphrase A man named Richard Cory appeared to use up it every last(predicate) told looks, a suave persona and a respectable social stance. These qualities were regard and admired by the townships good deal, even envied to a small degree. Despite his plain perfect life, Richard Cory shot and killed himself.Purpose The purpose of this poem 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 mold irrationally such as committing suicide.Structure There are 4 stanzas, each serves to reveal a different piece of information (1st stanza towns consensus about Richard Cory, 2nd stanza personality, 3rd stanza social status, 4th status the abrupt, unforeseen ending of his life).Speaker There is one speaker and the POV is trine person. Shift The shift in this poem occurs at the second to finally line. Before this, the poem revolves around the, what seems to be, ideal life of Richard Cory. But at this line the poem ends abruptly with an unexpected suicide, stated as an understatement. phrase structure/Grammar/Diction There is repetition of always in relation to how the townsfolk describe him. This means that Richard Corys public appearances were routine and unchanging mayhap even a false facade. The use of the colon to connect 2 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. opinion The preeminence before the shift is admiring with a small hint of envy. The tone after the shift is rather indifferent, there is no diction indicating contriteness or any other emotion over his death.