EPISODE · May 21, 2026 · 13 MIN
Behind the Smile: The Tragedy of Richard Cory
from Stay Lit · host KDI Productions
In this third edition of Stay Lit, Miles Ellison and Cambria Shaw explore Edwin Arlington Robinson’s classic poem “Richard Cory.” First published in 1897, this deceptively simple narrative captures the quiet tragedy behind appearances. Richard Cory is admired, envied—even idealized—as he moves among the townspeople with wealth, charm, and grace. But beneath the surface lies a deeper, darker reality. How happy is he, really? And what does the poem say about the assumptions we make about others? Join us as we examine how this short piece still speaks a universal—and unsettling—truth.
What this episode covers
In this third edition of Stay Lit, Miles Ellison and Cambria Shaw explore Edwin Arlington Robinson’s classic poem “Richard Cory.” First published in 1897, this deceptively simple narrative captures the quiet tragedy behind appearances. Richard Cory is admired, envied—even idealized—as he moves among the townspeople with wealth, charm, and grace. But beneath the surface lies a deeper, darker reality. How happy is he, really? And what does the poem say about the assumptions we make about others...
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Behind the Smile: The Tragedy of Richard Cory
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