What is ironic about the ending of the poem "richard cory" by edwin arlington robinson?

Irony is a rhetorical device in which an event that appears to be something in the surface is in fact completely different to the reality. In this case, the poem suggests that Richard Cory is the perfect man. He was a clean, slim gentleman. He was also rich and educated, and everyone wanted to be him. The reader, therefore, imagines that Cory has the perfect life. However, the irony at the end is that Cory ends up killing himself, proving that he did not have the perfect life everyone thought he had.

i think the correct answer would be adjustments in life roles.  this causes for one to adjust or change totally his/her career or lifestyle since the present is not beneficial to the life role he is at. for instance, you became a mother you would of course stop going to malls and enjoying life outside. you would be staying at home taking care of your child.