How does the narrator develop the contradictions of the theme throughout the poem?really concise "Richard Cory" by Edward Arlington Robinson

Edward Arlington Robinson's "Richard Cory" has two themes
in its verse:

1.  Wealth and its accompanying power have
their lure, but they tend to alienate the
individual

2.  Perception is often
deceiving.

The narrators of this poem are the common
people, those "on the pavement" who have the perspective of looking up at Cory, admiring
him for his appearance and wealth which are suggested in the regal terms of "crown,"
"clean favored," and "imperially slim."

In the second
stanza the people's perception elevates Cory to a more iconic level.  Although Richard
Cory is "always human when he talked," he is set apart as one who "fluttered pulses" and
"glitters."  The only words that Cory speaks are "Good morning"; then he walks away;
this action indicates the alienation of Cory in his elevated
state.

That the people's perception of Cory is flawed
is suggested in the third stanza in which his great wealth is mentioned--"richer than a
king"--and the judgment of Cory's character by the people is
indicated,

In
fine, we thought that he was everything

To make us wish
that we were in his
place

While the people "on
the pavement" envy Richard Cory who is wealthy and admired, he lives a life of "quiet
desperation" as Thoreau once wrote. For, he is alienated from those who feel inferior
and thus uncomfortable talking with him, and he is not to be envied at all, for he is
tragically discontent with his lonely life.