“Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson and “The Unknown Citizen” by W.H. Auden both portray ideal citizens in the eyes of their society. Robinson’s short poem speaks of a rich man who is idolized by all and seems to be the perfect specimen of a high-class man, while Auden’s longer poem focuses upon the parodied account of an unknown citizen who was also the ideal, conformed, almost robotic citizen of his society. The appearance versus reality themes of both poems can be compared based on characterization, real situations, and the society’s perception of the citizen.

Despite taking place in different societies, both characters of the poems are similarly characterized by how they appear. Robinson depicts Richard Cory as “a gentleman from sole to crown,” “richer than a king,” and “clean favored, and imperially slim”. Likewise, the Unknown Citizen is portrayed as the ideal, bleak, compliant citizen of the State: “he served the Greater Community… till the day he retired,” “he satisfied his employers,” and “he held the proper opinions for the time of the year”. Similar to Richard Cory, the Unknown Citizen leads the ideal life in his community. Both characters seemed satisfied with their lives because their lives are the epitome of perfection, Richard Cory is rich and “schooled in every grace,” while the Unknown Citizen is considered a “saint” by his bureaucratic government. Thus, these images of the Unknown Citizen and Richard Cory coincide with each other on a surface level because both live the picture-perfect life in their society.

Another similarity between the two poems is the characters’ real situations, or the “behind the scenes” thoughts and life they have. “Richard Cory” portrays a seemingly perfect man with the seemingly perfect life, where all is well and happy-go-lucky all the time. However that is sorely not the case because while he was “always human when he talked,” he was thinking, and eventually did, go “home and put a bullet through his head”. Whereas in “The Unknown Citizen”, the death of the Unknown Citizen is almost of no concern: “Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd,” and nothing more is said of his death. Similarly to the Unknown Citizen, no one questioned if there was any hidden depression, loneliness, or even suicidal tendencies because everyone thought that since he had money of the State’s approval, he had a satisfactory life. However, all Richard Cory wanted was exactly what the townspeople had: true friendships and a sense of comradery, whereas the Unknown Citizen’s happiness was not even a question because he always did whatever was considered correct in the status quo, so there isn’t even the slightest doubt or worry that he could’ve died or even have lived unhappily. Thus, while Richard Cory’s death is blatantly described and the Unknown Citizen’s death is ambiguous, both character’s deaths seem absurd to question because they put on a facade of happiness or just went with the status quo.

Along with underlying feelings, both societies’ perception of the citizens are alike. Auden’s bureaucratic society perceived the Unknown Citizen as: “one against whom there was no official complaint,” “he paid his dues,” and “he was popular with his mates”. Likewise, Richard Cory’s society’s perception of him is portrayed as, “he fluttered pulses,” “he glittered when he walked,” and “we thought that he was everything”. Both societies perceive each character on a simple, superficial level and with no thought as to who they actually are. Richard Cory is looked upon as royalty in the downtown area where the poem takes place and he has many swooning over his immense amount of money, while the Unknown Citizen is perceived as an invisible stitch, thought highly favored, in the fabric of his society, but neither of their societies know who they truly are or how they truly feel because they did not make their individuality known. Thus, both Richard Cory and the Unknown Citizen are perceived in similar, inconsiderate ways by their society.

Though the appearance of both characters plays an important role, their appearance is greatly challenged by their tragic deaths. While Richard Cory appeared to have it all, his suicide tells a different tale, whereas the Unknown Citizen and his death are merely a drop of water in a lake to his bureaucratic society. This appearance against reality theme is played out greatly through the characterization of appearance, society’s perception, and the behind-the-scenes reality of both characters in each poem.