"Richard Cory" is a poem written by Paul Simon that describes the life of a wealthy, handsome, and gracious man named Richard Cory. The poem presents Cory as the epitome of perfection, with the speaker and the community looking up to him with admiration and envy. However, despite his external perfection, Cory is unhappy and ultimately takes his own life, leaving the speaker and the community in shock and questioning the reality of their perceptions of him.
The poem is written in a first-person point of view, with the speaker being a member of the community that admires Cory. The speaker describes Cory as being "quietly arrayed," "humanly fair," and "imperially slim," and notes that he was "humanly fair" and "quietly arrayed." These descriptions highlight Cory's physical attractiveness and the care he takes in his appearance. The speaker also notes that Cory was "humanly fair" and "imperially slim," which suggests that he was not only physically attractive but also possessed a regal bearing and grace.
The speaker goes on to describe how Cory "fluttered pulses" and "gladly bore" the "common load" of the community's "unrest." These phrases suggest that Cory was not only admired for his looks and bearing but also for his graciousness and kindness. He was able to inspire positive emotions in others and was willing to bear the burdens of the community, further contributing to his reputation as a perfect individual.
However, despite the admiration and envy of the community, Cory ultimately takes his own life, leaving the speaker and the community in shock. The speaker reflects on this event, stating that "we thought that he was everything / To make us wish that we were in his place." This line highlights the irony of the situation, as the community had envied Cory for his perfection and wished to be in his place, yet they did not truly understand the reality of his internal struggles.
The poem concludes with the speaker stating that "Richard Cory, one calm summer night, / Went home and put a bullet through his head." This shocking revelation serves as a reminder that outward appearances can be deceiving and that it is not possible to truly know the inner thoughts and feelings of others.
Overall, "Richard Cory" is a thought-provoking poem that challenges the reader to consider the limitations of their perceptions and the dangers of judging others based on external appearances. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of empathy and understanding, as well as the need to recognize that even those who seem to have it all may still struggle with their own internal demons.
