Wealth Envy in Richard Cory, by Edwin Arlington Robinson...

All too often, those who have little money envy people with more. This is depicted in â€Å"Richard Cory† written by Edwin Arlington Robinson, the narrator describes Richard as if he were royalty; rich, worldly, well spoken, and educated (677). He wished he could be Richard, and live with all the pleasures afforded the wealthy. Is it possible Richard had the reverse in his mind when he ended his life? Money appears to be a key that unlocks happiness to people on the lower end of the financial spectrum. If that were the case, then those who are well-to-do should be measurably happier. Studies give conflicting evidence as to a possible link between wealth and happiness, but for those with lower incomes it is there. While the issues†¦show more content†¦As the level of wealth grows within a community, individuals do not see themselves gaining financial ground on their competitors and neighbors. They only see what they still do not have instead of recognizing how much of a better position they are able to enjoy. This constant comparison and revealing of shortcomings can only lead to feelings of inadequacy and sadness by the thought of failing to measuring up. Keeping up and staying ahead does lead to a temporary form of satisfaction, and at the same time it highlights a new void. Once an object is attained or a milestone is reached, there is another, and another†¦ and so on. An unending string of acquisitions that do not usher lasting happiness into one’s life. In part, this â€Å"Joneses Syndrome† is echoed in a new study conducted by Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School. A magic income level was located, about $75,000 annually. People with incomes lower displayed increasingly unhappy tendencies as they moved further below this mark. Above $75,000 a plateau formed, the coupled income and happiness gains stopped. Measurable happiness ceased to increase along with income beyond that number (Luscombe 1). Researchers said that those with lower incomes were more â€Å"ground down† by problems they experienced. A lack of latitude afforded by a higher income could, forShow MoreRelated Edwin Arlington Robinsons Richard Cory Essay example792 Words   |  4 PagesEdwin Arlington Robinsons Richard Cory I have always secretly envied my dearest high school friend Erin.   It was easy to be jealous of Erin since she was tall with beautiful blonde hair that turned many heads.   She possessed grace and style and had the coolest car.   Though people try to resist envy, most succumb to it from time to time.   As people focus on all that they lack, they tend to ignore the flaws in those they envy.   The observers in the poem Richard Cory allow envy to cloudRead MoreGreat Gatsby Compared to Richard Cory794 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Richard Cory† written by Edwin Arlington Robinson is about a man who appears to be admirable on the exterior but no one is familiar with his interior, which is suffering badly. The narrator talks Richard Cory up by stating, he was richer than a king,(line 9) admirably schooled,(line 10) we thought that he was everything to make us wish that we were in his place.(lines 11-12) Until an abrupt ending to the poem, one calm summer night, went home and put a bullet through his head.(lines 15-16)Read MoreThe Great Poems By Edwin Arlington Robinson And Richard Cory1740 Words   |  7 Pageslearn from it till their last days. Although there are many different types of poetry I will focus on one of the many great poems written in 1897 by Edwin Arlington Robinson; â€Å"Richard Cory†. This short sixteen lined story tells us a lot about the human irony that constantly surrounds us, the power of being admired and envied at the same time. Richard Cory is a wealthy man who at the same time was admired and envied by those surrounding him. He had it all, the money, the power, and the people bowing