Paul's Case Essay

The short story “Paul’s Case”, written by Willa Cather, follows the life of Paul, a narcissistic daydreamer who suffers from depression. Many people disregard the weather as an important part of the setting, however, it is a major point of symbolism in “Paul’s Case” as well as an explanation for Paul’s feelings. Paul’s moods mirror and are effected by the weather in which he is living, winter, and are equally effected by allusions of spring. Not only does winter seem to emulate Paul, it could

process of growing up would have a hard time answering that question. Finding one's place in this world is a stressful and challenging journey because sometimes one can't find that place until they find who they truly are themselves. The story "Paul's Case" by Willa Cather is about just that, a boy named Paul who has no direction in life and is struggling with his identity and how the world around him leads Paul to a place of pure confusion, imagination, aesthetic and pleasure that ultimately leads

Paul's Case by Willa Cather Willa Cather was born near Winchester, Virginia in 1873. At age ten, she moved with her family to Nebraska where most of her stories were set. In 1913, she began an extensive writing career which included many short stories and several novels. In her stories, she depicted the lives of prairie farmers on the great plains. She glorified them over the city dwellers. In 1922, she won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel One of Ours. She left behind a heritage for

Paul’s behavior at school comes under reproach when his teachers ostensibly organize an interrogation. Paul confidently answers his teachers’ criticisms for his demeanor, disdain for their efforts, and even how he chooses to adorn his outfit with “a red carnation,” and is eventually released despite the loathing of his teachers. He joyfully heads to Carnegie Hall for his shift as an usher. It is here where Paul escapes the monotony of his life; he finds refuge in his livened senses—the sounds of

conform to, and it is up to the individual to follow these rules or not. Willa Cather displays the dark and true nature of the motivations that can direct an individual’s course of action through the arrogant and aloof high school student Paul, in “Paul’s Case”, and where Paul finds the motivation to escape his claustrophobic home in Cordelia Street. Paul initially feels imprisoned and unhappy with his life in Pittsburgh, so he seeks to escape; however, Paul is met with the realization that he can no

struggle with depression. “It was the old depression exaggerated; all the world had become Cordelia Street” (Cather 21). In Paul’s Case, by Willa Cather, the author writes of the depression-ridden Paul who attempted to convince himself that his appreciation and admiration of his dreams were nothing less than ideal, but they ultimately morphed into obsessions that failed. Despite Paul’s limited glimpses into his greatest hopes of living a life well beyond his current lifestyle, it was one he eventually

short story, “Paul’s Case,” Willa Cather demonstrates that when an individual, who is trapped by circumstances that suppress his dreams, attempts to escape and create a false sense of reality that he feels entitled to, he bases his identity on a lie and only increases his frustration as things spiral out of control. Paul,

“Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather is one of the most common short stories that has been redrafted. It was originally published in McClure magazine and it was later added to Cather’s first collection named The Troll Garden. As stated by DeFrancis, “Cather is comfortable looking backward, but going certainly forward” (111). Modernism was all about reinventing their ways to express themselves (Lathbury & Booth Linehan 6). The Modernist literature was one that did not show any definitive genre and it was

important ideas stick out as well as make the reader have different ideas of what is actually being said. One of the many symbols in “Paul’s Case” is flower’s. From violets to carnations, the flowers Paul talks about are ones of many meanings. The flowers represent a continual motif, expressing Paul’s character. The narrator expresses the teacher’s views towards Paul’s flowers, “…his whole attitude was symbolized by his shrug and his flippantly red carnation…” (Cather). Paul wears the flowers to symbolize

With his whimsical, eccentric, and somewhat selfish outlook on life, every reader could relate—in one way or another—to Willa Cather’s protagonist in “Paul’s Case.” Paul, who just believed he was misunderstood, was continuously perceived as diverse and bizarre by his peers, neighbors, and even his own father. By not taking any interest in the dull, drab, and dim everyday life of the average person in Pittsburgh, Paul was consistently criticized and belittled by others. Along with not enjoying the