Robinson's poem "Richard Cory" uses metaphors as a means to convey a story of personal failure. After superbly depicting the story of Richard Cory as a man envied for his personal appearance, manners, and wealth, the author abruptly ends the story with the tragic death of the character. By examining in detail the poem's use of diction, metaphors, and imagery we can understand that the external facade of wealth and success does not guarantee internal happiness, nor a peaceful existence.
Robinson's use of diction in his poem "Richard Cory" expresses the poem's meaning. The townspeople greatly admire Richard Cory; they think he deserves such adoration although they practically do not know anything about his personal life. The townspeople are the speakers who refer to Richard Cory as "a gentleman from sole to crown","always human", and "richer than a king" (Robinson lines 3; 6; 9). The speakers convey the message that everyone in their small town envies and wishes to be Richard Cory, the man who seems to be perfect in every sense. On the contrary, the words by which the townspeople life is described are the opposite to the perfect life of Richard Cory, as they "worked", "waited", and "cursed" (Robinson lines 13;14). The townspeople's daily struggle explains why they see Richard Cory as their "idol"; his manners, wealth, and perfection are the aspirations they dream of to escape from their daily battle. Their obsession with Cory is blown out by his shocking death by suicide, and exemplifies the threat of believing that external wealth can assure real happiness and a peaceful life. .
The townspeople are the poem's speakers, impoverished workers who express themselves by metaphors to describe the large difference among them and Richard Cory, a man envied and admired by all because of his elegant manners, human character, and great wealth.
