Why did Richard Cory kill himself?

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envied by the common people he walks past every day and seems to have everything a person could
ask for. Richard Cory is an immaculately dressed gentleman, who is refined and polite. The
narrator comments that Richard Cory seemed to glitter when he walked and describes him as being
"richer than a king." Despite Richard Cory's stately appearance and positive
reputation as a consummate gentleman, he abruptly commits suicide on a calm summer night. While
the narrator never directly states why Richard Cory kills himself, it is implied that he lives
an isolated, empty life. Unlike the working class civilians, who the narrator collectively
refers to as "we," Richard Cory travels by himself and seems to sorely lack human
interaction. Despite having status and material wealth, Richard Cory lacks valuable
relationships and opportunities for social interactions, which make life meaningful. While
Richard Cory's reasons for committing suicide may be ambiguous, the poet's message is clear.
Material wealth and social status are shallow qualities, which do not give life meaning or
value.