The theme of the poem “Richard Cory” is don’t judge a book by its cover. I think its important to examine that because Richard Cory seemed like he had it all but it turns out he had what people call a “mask” on which means they pretend to act ok when there not. As the poem quotes “One summer night Richard Cory took a bullet to his head.” really shows that just because you think someone has it together doesn’t mean they do.