Question

analyzing poetry having read chapter 2 of the great gatsby, read the poem below which shares some of the same themes. then complete the activities and questions below. richard cory by edwin arlington robinson whenever richard cory went down town, we people on the pavement looked at him: he was a gentleman from sole to crown, clean favored, and imperially slim. and he was always quietly arrayed, and he was always human when he talked; but still he fluttered pulses when he said, “good - morning,” and he glittered when he walked. and he was rich—yes, richer than a king— and admirably schooled in every grace: in fine, we thought that he was everything to make us wish that we were in his place. so on we worked, and waited for the light, and went without the meat, and cursed the bread; and richard cory, one calm summer night, went home and put a bullet through his head. 1. spend time annotating the poem (underlining, circling, highlighting, noting links, etc.) you should consider some of the following points to guide you in your annotation: - what is the rhyme scheme & structure? does it impact the meaning or tone? - any figurative techniques? metaphors? personification? repetition? what’s the effect? - any notable punctuation? pauses? what is the impact on tone? positive? negative? - are there key words? what are the connotations of these words? positive? negative? - sensory images: any descriptive words to do with sight, sound, taste, smell etc.? - are there any shifts in the poem? shifts in tone, content, style? 2. what can you infer about the speaker of this poem? explain your answer fully. 3. what is the theme of this poem? (remember that theme has to be expressed in a full sentence, expressing what is universal point the author is making about a key topic of the poem.) 4. what connections can be made between the content and meaning of this poem, and what you have read so far in fitzgerald’s the great gatsby? (write out your answer as fully and formally as possible, integrating and embedding evidence wherever possible.)

Explanation:

1. Annotation - Rhyme Scheme & Structure: The poem has an ABAB rhyme scheme which gives it a rhythmic flow, enhancing the sense of normal - cy before the shocking ending.
2. Speaker Inference: The speaker is likely a member of the working - class. Lines like "So on we worked, and waited for the light, And went without the meat, and cursed the bread" show their difficult life, and their envy of Richard Cory.
3. Theme: The theme is that outward appearances and material wealth do not guarantee happiness, as shown by Richard Cory's seemingly perfect life ending in suicide.
4. Connection to The Great Gatsby: Both deal with the idea of the emptiness behind the facade of wealth and social status. In The Great Gatsby, characters like Gatsby seem to have it all but are unfulfilled. Similarly, Richard Cory, despite his wealth and charm, is deeply unhappy.

Answer:

1. Analyze the rhyme scheme (ABAB) and how it impacts the poem's tone and meaning. Look for figurative language like the contrast between the idealized view of Richard Cory and his tragic end. Note punctuation for pauses and emphasis. Key words like "rich", "gentleman" have positive connotations that contrast with the ending. Sensory images like "glittered when he walked" add to his allure. There is a shift from admiration to shock at the end.
2. The speaker is likely a working - class person. They envy Richard Cory's wealth and status as shown by their hard - working, deprived life ("went without the meat, and cursed the bread") and their wish to be in his place.
3. The theme is that material wealth and a seemingly perfect outward appearance do not ensure happiness or inner peace.
4. Both the poem and The Great Gatsby explore the hollowness of wealth and social status. In the poem, Richard Cory's suicide shows that his wealth did not bring him joy. In The Great Gatsby, characters like Gatsby are wealthy but struggle with loneliness and unfulfilled dreams.