Journal 14: "Richard Cory"

“Richard Cory“ (497)

Richard Cory’s name is ironic because:

-      Had the word rich in it

-      Rich in a material matter

-      Poor in a spiritual matter

-      What not rich inside (Cory)

Apperance VS. Reality.

This poem is an example of situational irony. The people of the town narrate this story, saying wonderful things about Richard Cory. They thought he had the perfect life, he was wealthy, and many people looked up to him. Although he presented himself as a well put together man, with a perfect life, things were not like that in reality. He did not see what everyone else saw in him and ended up killing himself. This shows that things are always what they seem they are.

Real VS. Ideal

This shows that he was a real character because he had strong feelings. It showed that he may have seemed to have the perfect life to everyone, but in reality, he did not. It showed life how it really was. If it were ideal, the appearance and reality would match with Richard Cory, the wonderful, happy man that everyone looked up too. The story would not end in the same way if it were an ideal setting. 

“Miniver Cheevy” (497)

Minimal Achiever

“Miniver Cheevy” is narrated in 3^rd person. This story talks about a man named Miniver Cheevy that  wished to live in the middle ages, but he does not. The idea that his life is not what he dreams it to be drives him to drink in excessive amounts. He escapes his reality by living a fantasy and instead of doing anything about his life, he just thinks and thinks.
The ideal would be living in the past, but this is impossible for Miniver Cheevy. The reality is Miniver Cheevy is unhappy with his present life because he does not try to fix it.

"Mr. Flood's Party"

His name “Flood” can symbolize the sadness of being lonely or the drinks he consumes by himself.

This is ironic because Mr. Flood’s party only consists of himself. He engages in conversation by himself because he no longer has friends. The people that surround him are new and he doesn’t know them very well, so he doesn’t not invite them to the party. His life is lonely, but he is reaching the end of his life.

Ideal to Mr. Flood would be his past, having his friends surround him.

The reality is that he out-lived the people he knew, is stuck in the present, and is now lonely.