Question

What is ironic about the ending of the poem "Richard Cory" by Edwin Arlington Robinson? A. Although Cory is rich and of an elite class, he kills himself because he is unhappy. B. Although Cory is unhappy, he kills himself because the townspeople envy his life. C. Cory is rich and of an elite class, so he lives his life without any problems or concerns. D. Cory donates all of his money to the working class because he understands its struggles.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

A. Although Cory is rich and of an elite class, he kills himself because he is unhappy.

Explanation:

Richard Cory is the most famous poem of Edwin Arlington, this poem is about a man named Richard Cory, which is described as a kind, gentle, elegant, rich man, and while he appears to have it all, he suddenly kills himself.

The poem describes Richard Cory's attitude towards people as a kind gentleman, and how the townspeople wanted to be like him because apparently he had it all, Richard Cory shows irony in the final stanza because it shows how people worked nonstop to "see the light", and while they were complaining about their life, Richard Cory, whom they thought had a perfect life killed himself, we can imply that he was unhappy because a happy person wouldn't kill himself, but the poem doesn't explain the reason why he did it.