Introduction: “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather
“Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather is a short story that explores the complex psyche of its protagonist, Paul, a young man who finds himself at odds with the conventional world around him. Set in early 20th-century Pittsburgh, the narrative explores themes of alienation, longing for a different reality, and the clash between societal expectations and individual desires. Cather’s keen observations and vivid prose invite readers to unravel the layers of Paul’s character as he navigates the tension between his own aspirations and the constraints imposed by the society he seeks to escape.
“Paul’s Case” could, with a few modifications, be about a young man living today. What would need to be changed in your opinion after reading “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather?
Willa Cather’s story “Paul’s Case is an interesting read. In fact, if the story is modified, the boy Paul should be placed under the guidance of a father who should also have played the role of a mother to use his genius to grow him into a fine young man. He is lost because he has no mother and he turns against the notions of his father who does not spend a penny on him and has made him work to pay for his expenses. That is why he uses his mental faculties to see the world he always wants to see that the world should lie or he should live by with truth that is to face reality. In the end, he comes to know when he thinks that he has “restored his self-respect” (Cather 570) that is the major reason for his flight with money. Had his father changed himself with the intention to bring him up into a fine young man, he would have been more successful.
“Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather
Paul could be considered a troubled boy or a spoiled, self-centered young man. What details in the story convince you of one or the other view after reading “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather?
It is correct that he is spoiled and self-centered but he has lost his childhood innocence because of the absence of his mother. First his insolence, “disorder and impertinence were among the offenses named” (Cather 490) that he could have removed. The second was his chagrin against living near the glamorous Cordelia Street and the third is his job at the gallery. These things created in him a wish to live a glamorous life even though for a while. Therefore, he flees with the money from the store and goes to New York where “His golden days went by without a shadow” (500) which shows that he has been spoiled due to which he turned into a self-centered person.
“Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather
Was Paul’s final action the only choice he had to make at the time or could he have found another resolution to the situation?
In fact, Paul was made to live in the world of fantasy. The Cordelia Street and his home have become a prison for him. To escape this prison, he runs away with the money. Therefore, when, in the end, he comes to realize the reality that he would have to return and his father is coming to find him and “The gray monotony stretched before him in hopeless, unrelieved years” (Cather 501) is a reality, there was no way except to find out a solution that he thinks lies in suicide. Therefore, he exercises this option and ends his life by throwing himself before the train with the only thought that he might have lived to see several other places he has not seen.
Works Cited: “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather
Cather, Willa. Paul’s Case: A Study in Temperament... SS McClure, 1905.
Relevant Questions about “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather
- How does the symbolism of Paul’s fascination with art and aesthetics contribute to the overall theme of alienation in “Paul’s Case”?
- In what ways does Willa Cather explore the societal expectations and norms of the early 20th century, and how do these expectations impact Paul’s character and actions throughout the story?
- Analyze the role of Paul’s family and their influence on his behavior. How do his relationships with family members contribute to the unfolding of the narrative, and what do they reveal about the dynamics of the time?