Richard Cory is an exceedingly wealthy and educated gentleman living in a small New England town. He presents an image of absolute perfection to the public, appearing "imperially slim" and carrying himself with quiet grace. Despite his immense riches, which prompt the locals to compare him to royalty, he does not wear flashy clothing or speak down to others. He maintains a polite, humble demeanor, greeting everyone he passes with a warm morning salutation.

The townspeople serve as the collective narrators of the poem, representing the working-class citizens living through harsh economic conditions. They endure long hours of manual labor and struggle to afford basic necessities, frequently going without meat and growing resentful of eating only bread. They spend their days wishing for a better life and projecting their hopes onto the town's wealthiest resident.