A group presentation prepared for a Marxist Criticism on Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson for the subject Literary Criticism.

1. A Marxist Criticism on
RICHARD CORY
by Edwin Arlington Robinson
Presented by Group 1 | BSE English 3

2. THE READING
OF THE POEM

3. Whenever Richard Cory went
downtown,
We people on the pavement
looked at him;
He was a gentleman from
sole to crown,
Clean favored and
imperially slim.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. THE QUESTIONS
AND OUR GROUP’S ANSWERS

8. Question 1
What is the economic status of the characters?
The economic status of the characters shows a wide distinction between
the high class and the low class which clearly depicts the definition
of Marxism where there is class struggle among the group. Those who
belong to the higher class are deemed respectable and living a
convenient life while those who belong to the lower class are
deemed poor and living an unfortunate life.

9. Question 2
What happens to them as a result of this status?
Since the beginning, the poem reveals the economic status in life. For
instance, how the elites are seen in the society and how the people in
the lower classes are striving to make a living. Because of the division
of status, the lower class tend to admire and envy the people on
top—their grace, wealth, power, and privilege. They are working for
8 hours or worse 24 hours just to have a meal that they will serve in
their family. For lower class people, life is cruel and unfair.

10. Question 2
…continuation
On the other hand, those people who are rich have advantages in the
society because they hold the power to change something where they
can have everything they wanted and needed. However, looks can
be deceiving because they are also humans who are experiencing
pressure and rueful life. Similar with how Richard Cory felt that lead
him to killing his self. And maybe, those smiles and elegance are
actually the people who really don’t care about money and fame.

11. Question 3
How do they fare against economic and political odds?
In the political and economic status of human life, we have the poor
and the rich. When you are poor, you usually live in marginalized
places without all the basic resources to live. When you are rich, you
have all the basic necessities of life and the things that only the rich
can get and enjoy. One of the reasons why the poor can rise out of
poverty are through the help of the rich. In short, the more the rich
expand the imaginations of the poor, the more they work hard in
life so that they can also have the things that the rich have.

12. Question 4
What other conditions stemming from their class does the writer emphasize?
The other conditions stemming from their class are the other people in
the town who are distinctly in a lower financial class. They are looking
up to Richard Cory and they want to be just like him. But in the end of
the poem, Richard Cory kills himself. This showcases the people of the
town that some things can’t be purchased by money and that looks
can be deceiving.

13. Question 5
To what extent does the work fail by overlooking the economic, social, and
political implications of its material?
A man cannot be defined by his economic, social and political status
because even a man who is well educated can’t manage to deal
with the realities of life. They can be nothing compared to a man
who has no education but can cope and adjust to life’s adversity
outweighs all other statuses. Every man’s work could fail if we cannot
see and thrive in the complexity of life.

14. Question 6
In what other ways does economic determinism affect the work?
Richard Cory is a wealthy man which made the people in their
community look up to him. They gave him huge respect to the point of
trying to make their lives better or at least imitate the life that
Richard Cory's life. This goes to show the economic determinism that
Karl Marx explained as the effect of economic factors on social
differences and class conflict.

15. Question 7
How should the readers consider this story in today’s developed or
underdeveloped world?
People nowadays still look up to the royalties or to the people living
in wealth. Of course, who does not want to live in luxuries where you
could get what you want? But there is a really point in life that you will
ask yourself, “Am I really happy?” even though you have everything
you want and need. There will always be a blank space in your
heart; you feel empty without knowing the reason.

16. Question 7
…continuation
Richard Cory represents how happiness is not something you could
get just because you have everything. Sometimes it is about knowing
yourself deeper and what are the things really matter for you. Either
it’s a developed or an underdeveloped world, we should look for the
main purpose in our life and what will give you the reason to live long.

17. “He is rich or poor according to
what he is; not according to
what he has.”
Henry Ward Beecher

18. Group Members:
Franklin Avorque
Missy Lecera
Ma. Rica Macabus
Charles Jerwine Magno
Regine Kyle Regida
Albert Seviño
Dixie Grace Tenio
THANKS FOR
LISTENING!