Monday, March 5, 2012

Blog #15 - Richard Cory

This story is about a man named Richard Cory. Basically, this blog is about how the townspeople always think that Richard Cory is a perfect guy and nothing is ever wrong in his life. For example, the story states, "And he was rich—yes, richer than a king, And admirably schooled in every grace: 10 In fine, we thought that he was everything To make us wish that we were in his place" (Edwin Arlington Robinson). The whole time the people admired him and wished that they could be as rich and as elegant as him. But little did everyone know that Richard Cory was not as happy and content as everyone thought that he was. "So on we worked, and waited for the light, And went without the meat, and cursed the bread; And Richard Cory, one calm summer night, 15 Went home and put a bullet through his head" (Robinson). In the end Richard Cory committed suicide, which is very sad. Even though he had everything, (at least everything materialistic) something was missing in his life, obviously something very important. I found this quote that is from David Henry Thoreau and I think that it may relate to this story a little. Thoreau says, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. ...." (Thoreau). I think that this very much describes Richard Cory because he was very quiet. He looked perfect on the outside, but on the inside he was desperate. It is sad to think that more people than we realize live this way, at least according to Thoreau. I thought that this story was very sad, but it just goes to show that you never know what is really going on in people's lives. Also, I did like how even though this story was pretty short, it got across a very strong message. So, overall I did not mind this story, and I think that it relates to Thoreau pretty well.


"45. Richard Corey. Edwin Arlington Robinson. Modern American Poetry." Bartleby.com: Great Books Online. Web. 05 Mar. 2012.

"Henry David Thoreau." - Biography and Works. Search Texts, Read Online. Discuss. Web. 05 Mar. 2012.

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