This is not a difficult assignment, at all. Reading the
poem aloud will cause the reaction brought about by situational irony, which is the
surprising contradiction of an event occurring that directly contradicts the
expectations of the reader or audience.
The main character
of the poem, Richard Cory, is portrayed as one to be envied: In the time of the 1893
Depression when most people have little but bread to eat--"we cursed the bread"--he is
"imperially slim" and "richer than a king." In fact, the "people on the pavement" feel
that he is everything "to wish that we were in his
place."
What, then, is the event that contradicts their
perception? This is the situational irony. It cannot be missed. Good luck and be sure
to explain how the reader is led to not expect the conclusion to the
poem.
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