richard cory miniver cheevy
Robinson's portrayal of the Outcast in Society in "Richard Cory" and "Miniver Cheevy"In Edwin Arlington Robinson's poems, "Richard Cory" and "Miniver Cheevy" the main characters are portrayed as outcasts. Both are shunned from society neither having any real friends. Though these characters have some similarities, the way in which Robinson portrays them is very different. Richard Cory is admired by his peers, where as, Miniver Cheevy is opposite; people look down on him. One man appearing to have everything takes his own life, while the other appearing to have nothing accepts his misery.For Richard Cory, the saying money can't buy happiness, could not be more appropriate. He is, according to the people of the town, the man with everything. Everyone wished they could be more like him, "he had everything to make us wish that we were in his place". In contrast Miniver Cheevy, had nothing to be admired for, he had done nothing with his life and yet he longed to have the adoration that Richard Cory had, the respect and almost kingly qualities, "he was a gentleman from sole to crown". Miniver Cheevy wanted to be the hero that Cory was to the people on the street. "Miniver mourned the ripe renown that made so many a name so f
He tried to speak to the people on the pavement however "he fluttered pulses when he said 'Good Morning". Robinson gives no insight into Cory's mind, we can only assume he was so miserable that he could not bear to go another day, with the people on the pavement looking at him and hating him more and more. Then "Richard Cory, one calm summer night, went home and put a bullet through his head". The people on the pavement put Richard Cory on a pedestal and therefore could not speak to him. Neither of theses characters are accepted in their own life and neither can face another day. "Miniver cursed the commonplace" he hated his surroundings they were so boring to him, there were no exciting battles to watch or be a part of. "He would have sinned incessantly could he have been one. They continued to work and hope that one day they too could be as rich and as happy as Richard Cory, hating him even more everyday they "went without meat". One seemingly well off and content with his life, the other outwardly miserable. This also adds to the surprise when Cory, seemingly happy, puts a bullet in his head. To Miniver even the dress was boring, though the common suit does hold stature, "Miniver eyed it with loathing" hating it solely because it did not have the same "medieval grace of iron clothing". Richard Cory had no friends the people of the town never really saw him as a person, in fact they never saw him at all, the "people on the pavement looked at him", never spoke to him, he was only something to admire. They both have a need to escape the present, they choose to do this in different ways, Richard Cory takes his life, and Miniver Cheevy drinks and pretends he is a knight in medieval times. Because the people on the pavement hold Richard Cory in such high esteem he becomes an outcast within their society.
Common topics in this essay:
Miniver Cheevy,
Richard Cory,
richard cory,
miniver cheevy,
people pavement,
Arlington Robinson's,
,
outcast society,
richard cory miniver,
people pavement looked,
Cory Miniver,
contrast miniver cheevy,
calm summer night,
cory miniver cheevy,
people town,
calm summer,
pavement looked,
contrast miniver,
gain respect,
robinson portrays,
|
Acceptance Essays
