Edward Arlington Robinson's poem Richard Cory was perhaps too morbid when I read it for the first time when I was in the seventh grade. I was depressed at the time, something which no one had noticed but my English teacher. He introduced the poem to me as a way of forcing me to open up and cope with what was bringing me down, so as to prevent me from spiraling further downward.
The poem is rather simple. Richard Cory is highly esteemed in his community as an educated, wealthy and attractive individual. Then, one day, he goes home and takes his own life with a gunshot to the head for reasons unbeknownst to those who had placed him on such a lofty pedestal.
In college, where despondency is all-too-common, I've been forced to recall the premise of this poem all too often: People can hide their depression from others far too easily.
Richard Cory was able to do so by masking himself in success. No one thought any differently--no one saw any reason to.
The atmosphere of a pressure-intensive university can and does take a considerable toll on its students. And everyone handles the rigors in different ways, some of which are healthier than others. Regardless, this sort of environment isn't quite a red carpet for those suffering from depression to open up and seek help.
In this issue, Kelly Rohrs revisits the experiences of one of her freshman year acquaintances and the travails she wandered through her first several months at Duke. The friend, a young woman we've called Carolyn, was overpowered by Duke to the point of taking 23 Tylenol washed down with swigs of vodka.
Like Richard Cory, Carolyn's suffering went unnoticed until her suicide attempt, as she had previously put on a masquerade of happiness for her friends. Fortunately, Carolyn survived, and has since transferred from the University. She's still trying to regain her footing, however, as she has yet to fully embrace her need for help.
I'm hopeful that through Carolyn's story, we can find the courage to help others seek out the assistance they may need, and the shoulder they may need to lean on. It is, after all, what friends are truly for.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.