THE MEANING OF EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON POEM “RICHARD CORY” BASED ON THE DYNAMIC STRUCTURALISM THEORY

Abstract

Dynamic structuralism is a perfect form of the structuralism theory which is a concept to analyse the poem to get its meaning comprehensively. The research therefore aims to describe the elements contruction of the poem and the meaning of the poem based on the dynamic structuralism theory. This research applies qualitative descriptive method through dynamic structuralism approach. The poem is “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson. Based on analysis, the researchers describe Richard as if he were royalty: rich, worldly, well spoken, and educated. Contrasts the discontented, frustated lives of small town people with the seemingly successful and wealthly existence of their hero, Richard Cory. Richard Cory is a poem which shows why we should not judge people on appearances as it subvert our expectation in the final line. Richard Cory is basically an ironic poem. It deals with the irony that rich people are not happy with their life and the poor think that wealth is the guarantee of happiness.