The short story "Paul's Case" by Willa Cather illustrates the problems of a young man, named Paul, growing up and taking on the responsibility of finding out who he is, and what he wants from life. The story contains many symbols, which add meaning to the story. Some of the major symbols present in "Paul's Case" are: the flowers, Cordelia street, the Carnegie Hall, and Paul's house. .
The flowers play an integral role in the story. They symbolize Paul throughout the story. For instance, at the beginning of the story, Paul is wearing a bright red carnation in his lapel. This declares Paul's independence from the other students, and shows that Paul is different than the other students at his school. At the end of the story, when Paul buries the flowers in the snow, he signifies that he was going to bury another wilted flower, himself. .
Another major symbol in the story is "Cordelia Street", the street that Paul lives on. Paul absolutely hated the street he lived on and even more he hated his house. Every time he came home "he experienced the physical depression, the loathing of respectable beds, of common food, of a house penetrated by kitchen odors." Paul's house, and "Cordelia Street" symbolize Paul's life, and his disliking of his house and his street, represent his hatred toward it. Paul isn't happy with his life because he isn't able to live it the way he wants. He constantly dreams about "movin" on up" and living life in a high society. .
The Carnegie Hall, which was the place Paul worked, is another one of the major symbols in the story. It symbolizes the life that Paul dreams of having. While he worked at the Carnegie Hall, Paul watched the actors and actresses move about in their fancy attire and live in the most luxurious hotels suites. Paul had always wanted to be like the actors, and that's the reason he enjoyed working as an usher at the Carnegie Hall. When Paul's father stopped him from working at the Carnegie Hall, he took away the only part of Paul's life that he enjoyed, and he basically shattered his son's dreams.
Paul's Case "Paul's Case, by Willa Cather, is the story of a young man named Paul, whose appetite for a life filled with riches lead him to stealing and to his ultimate self demise. ... Paul did not enjoy working at Carnegie Hall. Paul did not enjoy seating the "early comers." ... In the end though, Paul never learned his lesson. ... The overpowering point of view in "Paul's Case" is third-person limited. ...
Elements of "Paul's Case" Willa Cather's, "Paul's Case," uses characterization, irony, and symbolism to tell the story of Paul, who never felt he belonged, but who never wanted to, either. Paul submerges himself in anything to do with art. ... Paul does not feel he belongs anywhere in his middle class, suburban life. ... " (5) Paul is also characterized as a compulsive liar... This characterization of Paul overlaps into the element of irony....
"The Cause-Effect Essay" PAUL"S CASE In the short story of Willa Cather, Paul's Case, there is only one main character whose name is Paul and all the events occur around him. Because of some supporting deficiencies like emotions and wealth, the story ends in tragedy and Paul commits suicide. ... Generally, Paul has some psychological problems and they reflect to his environment. ... Another important cause of Paul's death is his father's abuse and thoughtlessness of him. In the most important term of Paul's need of support, his father is not beside him, and h...
Paul's Case By Willa Cather Analyzing Paul of "Paul's Case" In the story "Paul's Case," Paul's behavior is nonchalant, but yet respectful at times. ... Paul's peers and father think other - wise. ... His father does not approve of Paul asking for money knowing that Paul has a job. Paul should be able to pay for his own carfare but Paul's father gives Paul the money, trusting that Paul is going out to study, but instead Paul goes to theater to escape from his everyday life of school and his community... Paul did not let anybody pull him down from his dreams a...
In Willa Cather's short story Paul's Case we learn of a young man who is fighting what he fears most: to be as common and plain as his world around him. ... For Paul this is his sign of strength. ... However none of this affected Paul. ... Paul's home life was not the least different. ... I observed a correlation between Willa Cather's Paul's Case and William Shakespeare's classic tragedy Romeo and Juliet. ...
Character Essay on "Paul's Case" This is a story of a young man that lived in a world in which he felt he did not belong. ... Paul appeared to take pride in his ability to lie to his teachers. ... The principal spoke of his concern with Paul's father about Paul's fascination with the theater. Paul's father spoke with Paul's employer and told him that Paul was not to walk through the doors of his establishment. This crushed Paul's dream and only fed his unstable state of mind. ...
In the story "Paul's Case," I would agree that the character of Paul is what makes the reading as interesting and exciting as it is. As far as his physical appearance goes, "Paul was tall for his age and very thin, with high cramped shoulders and a narrow chest. ... (pg.109) Paul is in high school, so we can deduce that he is a teenager. ... As we read on further we find that Paul is a very complex character indeed. ... It's ironic that Paul wants to live a rich and refined life but the way he goes about it is by stealing and lying. ...
Willa Cather's, "Paul's Case," is a short story about a young man whose obsessions and fantasies lead others to believe that he is a blatant liar, drug addict, and a peculiar individual. ... Immediately after school, Paul would hurry to the theatre where he worked as an usher. ... This was Paul's fairy tale a secret love." ... Here is where Paul found his success and freedom most valued. ... Paul is an eccentric individual that is highly critical of reality. ...
