What Is The Point Of View Of Paul's Case By Willa Cather

At the beginning of the novel, Paul is very isolated.For instance, on page 12, Paul writes, “Dad said sure thing you’re at the top of the stairs Erik's at the other end and you have two guest room in between you. This shows how Paul is not only physically isolated but also metaphorically for his emotions. On page 11,Paul is isolated by not participating in the Erik fisher football dream like the rest of his family. This shows Paul is even isolated from his family.

He takes his obsession of proving to his peers how special he is by showing them “autographed pictures of all the members of the stock company…telling them of his familiarity with these people” (Cather 219). However, in actuality, his contact and similarities with the actors of Carnegie Hall is minimal, and he remains an outsider. He is removed from the actual life of these people, but feels he is engaged in it. By thinking of himself extraordinarily, but having no aspirations, Paul becomes “the adolescent longing for something-anything-different. Defiantly unproductive, he fails to “develop” himself” (Herring). Paul ignores his lack of talents and focuses his sense of superiority above the population of Pittsburgh to his interpersonal relations with the actors at Carnegie Hall in New York City. While Paul may have no talent, or desire for talent, he continues to exhibit his egocentrism behind a cover of arrogance and lack of empathy.

To begin with, Paul is counseling having flashbacks about his family and secrets that are untold. The author

Returning, he came to the realization that Cordelia Street is New York City; it’s Chicago; it’s San Francisco; it’s Seattle. No matter where Paul decided to travel to, he would face people and experience obstacles extremely similar to those of Cordelia Street. There would still be people who reapply their daily facade to satisfy one another, people who fall from their once proposed ambitions, and places that will be full of nothing but uncertainty, misery, and heartbreak. Cordelia Street is one place plucked from a multitude of disappointments Paul faced, and would continue to, no matter how desperately he attempted to convince himself

In the first few paragraphs, Paul's teachers describe him as “offensive” and are even intimidated by the boy. The teachers describe him as “accustomed to lying” (3) and disorderly. Despite the negative views the teachers have for Paul, I am interested to know why he acts this way and what his personality is around something he loves. He reminds me a lot of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, so I do not want to label him “disinterested in school” just yet. Because he is similar to Tom and Huck, I want to learn more about him and his point of view, and whether or not he has a sense of adventure.

Whenever he is facing something troubling, Paul always seems to go to something that symbolizes spring. After being bereted by his teachers, Paul goes to work early to look at the painting “Paul possessed himself of the place and walked confidently up and down, whistling under his breath. After a while he sat before a blue Rico and lost himself” (178). Simply focusing on the bright, and vibrant colors of the paintings seem to be a euphoric release for Paul, and so is listening to the lively music of Carnegie Hall: “He felt a sudden zest of life; the lights danced before his eyes and the concert hall blazed into unimaginable splendor” (178). There is always happy music played in the spring. After Paul’s father takes away all of Paul’s joy, all of his escapes, Paul finds no other choice but to steal away and find the life he has always wanted to live. Paul goes on a search for happiness and finds it in bright colorful New York City. The atmosphere brings Paul to life. Paul is surrounded by flowers, the most recognizable symbol of spring, bright colors, and happy people. He finally feels like he belongs: “He could not remember a time when he had felt so at peace with

The topic of an individual’s desire to escape society is essential to understanding the human condition. Some suggest that when an individual does not fit within their community, they must seek acceptance elsewhere. However, others, believe that an individual must adapt and conform to those around them. In the short story “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather, where Paul struggles with fitting in among the people of Cordelia Street. Initially, he attempts to escape the monotonous and restricting life in Cordelia Street by going to Carnegie Hall, the one place in life where he finds enjoyment in watching the beauty and glamour in acting. However, Paul’s hatred towards hard work and feeling of superiority over others forces

Willa Cather’s “Paul’s Case” is a story about a young 16 year-old man, Paul, who is motherless and alienated. Paul’s lack of maternal care has led to his alienation. He searches for the aesthetics in life that that he doesn’t get from his yellow wallpaper in his house and his detached, overpowering father figure in his life. Paul doesn’t have any interests in school and his only happiness is in working at Carnegie Hall and dreams of one-day living the luxurious life in New York City. Paul surrounds himself with the aesthetics of music and the rich and wealthy, as a means to escape his true reality.

It is Paul’s worsening mental condition, that is a result of his removal from Carnegie Hall, that leads to the decision for Paul to end his life by jumping in front of a train. The emotional consequences of this traumatic event, such as impulsive behaviour, confusion, emotional helplessness and this emotional void, are the driving force behind Paul’s action. If not for this event Paul’s tragic descent into this state of depression

The first paragraphs describe Paul as a very rebellious, yet charming young kid. He has a demeanor about him that he is almost too cool. “Paul entered the faculty room suave and smiling,” (Cather 897). His attitude when he walks in is he is very calm and doesn’t seem to care much about the consequences he may receive. “When questioned by the Principal as to why he was there, Paul state, politely enough, that he wanted to come back to school. This was a lie, but Paul was quite accustomed to lying; found it, indeed, indispensable for overcoming friction,” (Cather 898). This shows how he is different and why is he there being suspended from school. I did not see his suicide foreshadowed anywhere, yet his stealing I could see happening because he was a liar so stealing something could come easier for him.

Willa Cather’s short story, “Paul’s Case,” demonstrates the toxic effects of narcissism and materialistic greed on one particular young man named Paul. In the story, Paul feels extremely unsatisfied with his common lifestyle, and he resorts to fantasizing and mimicking the rich, leaving him out of touch with reality. Paul’s vain nature indicates that he prefers and feels entitled to a more lavish lifestyle; this attitude illustrates symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder, which Paul seems to possess.

One of the major themes of the novel is Identity. I claim that Paul is struggling with how he is, and his eyesight, which is his identity overall. Edward Bloor has developed the theme all over the story, and it’s seen in his characters, flashbacks, etc. This theme plays an important role overall in Paul’s quest in trying to grasp strength, and courage. The following are evidence, and commentary of how the theme has been developed over the two parts.

He's got a job as an usher at Carnegie Hall, and he spends his free time studying art, and he hangs out at the local theater. Stated in text, “It was at the theatre and at Carnegie Hall that Paul really lived; the rest was but a sleep and a forgetting. This was Paul's fairy tale, and it had for him all the allurement of a secret love.” (Shmoop 1) The hall and the influence of art really changed Paul and his time spent at the hall but he could only get away for so long before returning to his grungy home. Another common theme in Pauls’ Case is Paul’s dreams, hopes, and plans. Stated in text, “Not once, but a hundred times, Paul had planned this entry into New York. He had gone over every detail of it with Charley Edwards, and in his scrap book at home there were pages of description about New York hotels, cut from the Sunday papers.” (Shmoop 1) Paul had many dreams and he would plan ahead that his dreams will come true. Paul dreamed of

The theme of power is also prevalent in Paul when searches for a way to fulfill the luxurious lifestyle of his dreams.  However, unlike Dave, Paul source of power comes from money. Throughout “Paul’s Case,” Paul believes money is a key component that ensures him a life of happiness and excitement. This view he has of money inspired him to steal money from Denny and Carson’s he was supposed to deposit at the bank to fund his week-long spree in New York City. Paul is repelled by the life he lives on Cordelia Street that he goes to the extreme and commits the crime of embezzlement to live the life of his dreams. Although this action is risky, Paul couldn’t possibly pass up the opportunity to carry out a luxurious lifestyle even if it’s only temporary.

Willa Cather introduces the audience to Paul who lives in two distinct worlds. The industrialized middle class neighbourhoods of Philadelphia. Contrasted by the beautiful world of theatre and art, at Carnegie hall. Paul feels trapped by the mundane existence of the middle class, and is drawn towards his idealized life. A life of quality and meaning, full of beautiful people and interesting things.