Never judge a book by its cover. Appearances can greatly deviate from what is hidden on the inside. “Richard Cory†by Edwin Arlington Robinson, “We wear the mask†by Paul Laurence Dunbar, and “I’m nobody! Who are you?†by Emily Dickinson each give examples of appearances in contrast to reality. Robinson’s “Richard Cory†is essentially about a man who is set upon a golden pedestal by others and due to his suppressed sadness, kills himself. “We wear the mask†by Dunbar shows us society’s use of a “mask†to hide their sorrow and grief, grinning and smiling when they truly feel overwhelmed with sadness.
Dickinson’s “I’m nobody!†tells of the role of “somebody†in society as opposed to a “nobodyâ€, deeming the truth as the latter of the two. In Robinson’s “Richard Cory,†Dunbar’s “We wear the mask,†and Dickinson’s “I’m nobody!†appearance versus reality is exhibited through the usage of poetic language evoking various feelings in the reader.
