Question

Identify and explain an example of irony in "Richard Cory," either Paul Simon's or Edwin Arlington Robinson's version.

a) The irony in "Richard Cory" is situational, as the poem's ending reveals that Richard Cory, despite his wealth and charm, was secretly unhappy and took his own life.
b) The irony in "Richard Cory" is dramatic, as the poem's characters do not know the truth about Richard Cory's suffering, while the readers do.
c) The irony in "Richard Cory" is verbal, as the poem's speaker praises Richard Cory's virtues, but the final revelation contradicts this admiration.
d) "Richard Cory" does not contain irony; it is a straightforward narrative about a wealthy man's life.

Answer 1

The irony in “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson is situational irony, with the final stanza revealing Richard Cory's self harm attempt, an event that goes against the expectations raised by his wealthy and gracious portrayal throughout the poem (option a).

Step-by-step explanation:

The irony present in “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson is situational. The poem meticulously builds up an image of Richard Cory as the pinnacle of wealth and grace, which leads townspeople to admire him and wish they could be in his place. However, the poem's final stanza delivers a jolting twist, revealing that despite his apparent advantages, Richard Cory was deeply unhappy, culminating in his shocking self harm attempt.

Option (a) correctly identifies the type of irony. Situational irony occurs when the opposite of what is expected happens. In Robinson's version of “Richard Cory,” the readers along with the townspeople are led to believe that having Cory's material wealth and social standing equates to ultimate happiness. Yet, the narrative abruptly overturns this assumption when Richard Cory, contrary to all expectations, “takes his own life”, which is starkly different from what the observers of his life perceived to be true.

Neither dramatic irony, which necessitates the readers knowing something the characters do not, nor verbal irony, which requires a contradiction between what is said and what is meant, are present in this text. The irony lies in the situation's unfolding, not in the narration or dialogue.

The poem is a striking commentary on the assumption that external measures of success ensure internal happiness, and in delivering this message, it employs irony as a powerful literary device to accent the disconnect between appearances and reality.