The Impact of Poetic Devices in “Richard Cory” (Free Essay Sample)

Edwin Arlington Robinson is a very notorious name when it comes to nineteenth century American literature. While having lived a hard and gruesome life, Robinson also suffered the loss of his lover to his own sibling (Scheick 2562). He proceeded to fill this gap with writing by self-publishing his very first book known as The torrent and the night before however, this anthology was not as successful as he hoped it would be (Scheick 2562). However, all changed after one positive review from President Roosevelt himself, leading Robinson into a successful career and eventually, numbing the pain of all his losses over the years (Scheick 2562). In the poem “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson, certain poetic devices are used to show meaning and emphasis.

The poem itself is a very dark and twisted tale. The plot begins with a description of Cory and his popularity. The second stanza continues to talk about his admirable personality. In the third stanza, Robinson writes about this character’s lavish life and how he was described as “richer than a king” in comparison to the third person narrative which could be assumed as a laborer that worked in the same town as Cory. The last stanza describes a normal day which takes a turn when Cory takes his life.

Robinson uses the devices of imagery and irony to show emphasis within his poem. The use of imagery is outlined when he wrote that Cory was “a gentleman from sole to crown” (Robinson 1).  This quote signified Cory’s appearance and manner which emphasizes his worth to humanity. Irony is outlined by Anderson when he wrote, “Cory, wealthy as he was, did not live; instead, be ‘put a bullet through his head.’ This occured ‘one calm summer night.’ Calm, that is to the people, not to Cory” (Anderson 1).  Robinson’s use of irony in terms of portraying Cory as a bigshot eventually for Cory to kill himself adds contrast and in return, emphasis is shown.

To show meaning, Robinson also uses the poetic device of allusion and hyperbole. Franchere wrote, “‘Richard Cory’ comes first to mind because it is a nearly perfect representation of Edwin’s next older brother . . . ” (Franchere 1). Franchere outlines allusion when comparing Robinson’s older brother to Cory as both of them had everything they ever needed to succeed in life. Robinson also addresses the use of hyperbole in the poem when he writes, “Clean favored, and imperially slim” (Robinson 1). Hyperbole is shown as Robinson exaggerates Cory’s importance to the town when in reality, he was just another rich person. 

Robinson also sets up his poem in stanzas and uses foil to exaggerate meaning. Rein wrote, “ The poem, it will be recalled,  contains four stanzas, each of four lines” (Rein 1). The way that stanzas are set up can organize the poem and build suspense for what would happen next; in return, keeping the reader hooked. Foil is seen when Robinson writes, “In fine, we thought that he was everything / To make us wish that we were in his place” (Robinson 1). Foil compares the differences between the characters which would later make the irony in the story stand out. 

In conclusion, Robinson uses certain poetic devices to show meaning and emphasis. Robinson’s way of writing is astounding when it comes to American literature. Rein’s study showed how Robinson’s way of writing had a great impact on the reader’s feelings. Franchere and Anderson highlight the real-world comparison that the poem itself is loosely based upon. It is also seen that many of the other poems written by Robinson relate to people in his life. “Richard Cory” can also be seen as one of the most accurate when comparing to Robinson’s brother as they both had all the material things in the world yet, it was not enough to make up for what they felt.

Works Cited

Anderson, Wallace L. “Wallace L. Anderson: On ‘Richard Cory’” Modern American Poetry.  https://www.modernamericanpoetry.org/criticism/wallace-l-anderson-richard-cory. 31 Jan 2022.

Franchere, Hoyt C. “Hoyt C. Franchere: On ‘Richard Cory.’” Modern American Poetry. https://www.modernamericanpoetry.org/criticism/hoyt-c-franchere-richard-cory. 31 Jan 2022.

Rein, David M. “The Appeal of ‘Richard Cory.’” CEA Critic. November. 1963, p. 6. The Johns Hopkins University Press,  http://www.jstor.com/stable/44415807. 31 Jan 2022.

Robinson, Edwin A. “‘Richard Cory’ by Edwin Arlington Robinson.” Poetry Foundation. 31 Jan. 2022.  https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44982/richard-cory. 

Scheick, William J. “Edwin Arlington Robinson.” Critical Survey of American Literature. December. 2016. pp. 2562–2567. EBSCOhost, https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lkh&AN=103331MSA12669830000265&site=lrc-plus.