Jasmine Rowe
Mr. Light
Eng-102-40
2/12/2017

The Role of Unfulfilled Expectations

Edwin Arlington’s” Richard Cory” and “Jane Mirikitani’s” Suicide Note” are both poems that deal with the subject of suicide. The characters in both poems are different in many ways, yet at the same time, very much alike. Both poems contain different twists and turns that seem to teeter on engaging. The wording and tone leave the reader wondering of the choices that the characters chose, the circumstances that lead up to their deathly kiss, and the psychological state of each respective character. Looking at both poems side by side, we come to the conclusion that suicide is a multi-faceted issue that can stagger on the selfish, the reprieve, or even the remorseful, …show more content…
Edwin Arlington’s poem Richard Cory was written in 1897. In Arlington’s poem, Arlington explores a well-dressed gentleman named Richard Cory, who from the perspective of the townspeople, seems to be the light of happiness and lush living due to his financial status, well-dressed nature and intelligence. This is shown from the lines, “He was a gentleman from sole to crown, Clean favored, and imperially slim”, “he was rich - yes, richer than a king”, “admirably schooled in every grace.” Yes, looking at it from the external surface, Richard Cory seemed well deserving of envy from his more humble associates. However people cannot see that on the inside he is very unhappy. Richard Cory is envied by the people in the town that are not as fortunate as him. Richard Cory’s inner feelings were never revealed until he committed suicide. In the beginning of the short story it seemed as if he had it all and was seen as a king to the people in the town. It seems that Richard Cory had it all but still appeared to be alone and unhappy and the townspeople who didn’t have very much but they had each other. The people in the town only saw what they envied such as money and