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Steven Biasca

Mr. Woolard

AP Literature I

14 September 2010

Poetic Excellence in “Suicide’s Note” and “Richard Cory”

Throughout life, many people are often driven to desiring a complete end to existence.

Although the means in doing so may differ from one another, the idea of suicide itself is

nonetheless a poignant subject in life. Though Langston Hughes’s poem, “Suicide’s Note,” and

Edwin Arlington Robinson’s poem, “Richard Cory,” both discuss the idea of suicide, each poem

achieves multidimensionality through different literary devices.

In Langston Hughes’s, “Suicide’s Note,” the speaker personifies the river as having a

“calm, cool face.” Such personification suggests that the river is actually rather welcoming and

even appealing to the speaker. The poem achieves such profound intellectual meaning by

personifying the river as asking “for a kiss,” suggesting the idea that death is simply inviting the

speaker. In addition, the poem contains key, sensuous meaning, as it appeals to the reader’s sense

of touch. Upon reading the poem, the reader can feel, from the speaker’s precise, descriptive

diction, the actual cold, yet inviting water that is being described. Moreover, the poem’s terse

and concise imagery cleverly portrays the suicidal scene that can be easily imagined by the

reader. The imagery from the poem allows the reader to imagine a person ready to end his or her

life by jumping into the tranquil water, thus putting the reader in an observer’s point of view.

Lastly, “Suicide’s Note,” does indeed contain emotional aspects, due to the denotations of key

words from the poem. The speaker creates a sedate feeling, especially from the meaning of

“calm,” which is used to describe the river. This contributes to the speaker’s feelings of
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embracement towards suicide and how simple or placid it truly is.

In Edwin Arlington Robinson’s poem, “Richard Cory,” the intellectual aspects are

created through the use of situational irony. The observer essentially compares the man, Richard

Cory, to living the lavish life of a king, so the reader would suspect that such a person would be

well contented with his or her life. What is shocking, however, is the abrupt ending when he,

“put a bullet through his head.” This ironic situation makes the reader ponder over what could

drive a man who has everything and is supposed to be happy, to committing suicide. In addition,

the poem clearly appeals to the sense, particularly sight, through the use of imagery. The reader

can clearly see the glittering man as he passes by, though inside he is truly suicidal. The precise

descriptions of Richard Cory himself make it seem as if the reader is watching him put the bullet

through his head with their own two eyes. Furthermore, the poem appeals to the reader’s

imagination through such colorful diction. The distraught Richard Cory is seen as the epitome of

opulence from his “sole” to his “crown.” These words do indeed convey his sense of stature in

society, and they also connote such high class. Lastly, the speaker integrates emotional aspects,

particularly those of admiration and envy, into the poem through the use of metaphors. The

speaker claims, “we thought that he was everything.” This metaphor implies that he lives the life

that everyone essentially envies and wants, despite the fact that he suddenly ends it.

Though both poems discuss the notion of suicide, each accentuates particular aspects in

dissimilar manners. “Suicide’s Note” achieves its intellectual meaning through the

personification of the river, portraying suicide as something that is welcoming and serene.

Contrastingly, “Richard Cory” employs situational irony to embrace intellectual ideals;

specifically that suicide can be a rather ironic, unexpected action in life. In “Suicide’s Note,”

creative diction allows the reader to feel what the speaker does, whereas “Richard Cory,” utilizes
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imagery to appeal to the reader’s vision of how they see this suicidal man. Though both poems

demonstrate an end to existence, “Suicide’s Note” uses terse scenes and imagery to allow the

reader to imagine just how quickly life can be kissed away while “Richard Cory” employs

diction to allow the reader to imagine a wealthy man looking for a way to escape everything. In

addition, both poems do hold emotional feelings, though they do differ significantly. “Suicide’s

Note” demonstrates a peaceful, placid feeling towards suicide whereas “Richard Cory,” utilizes

the envious but admirable emotions associated towards suicide.