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A short story as defined by Edgar Allan Poe, should not contain a word that will not contribute to bringing out the theme of the story. In Willa Cather s Paul s Case, every detail serves an important role in supporting the pre-established design (as Poe calls it) of the story. Every aspect of Paul s Case such as symbolism and setting, relate to its rather perplexing theme. The details of the story, come together to constitute this message (theme) on life: materialism or artificiality can never permanently take the place of what is natural, real or true. Unfortunately, Paul, the protagonist of the story, does not realize this at the beginning.
He believes that he was born into the wrong social and economical status and tries to get a glimpse of the rich life that he ever so desires. When the eight days of artificial extravagance that he lives came to an end, it was a rude awakening to him. He realizes that the only way to escape his life on Cordelia Street is to kill himself which sadly enough he does by throwing himself in front of a train. One of the most important literary elements that reinforces the theme in Paul s Case is symbolism. Symbolism is seen everywhere in the story with one prominent example: flowers. There are numerous references to flowers in this story and after profound thought, it is obvious that flowers represent Paul himself.
For example, he feels that flowers do not belong in his drab house on Cordelia Street just like he feels he does not belong there. Flowers remind Paul of the pleased mood he is in when he arrives in New York and is living his temporary artificial life. He notices how beautiful the display of flowers in the flower shop (shielded by the window) are as opposed to the stark white snow. This shows how he appreciates things that are unnatural over true beauty. The flowers one splendid breath and brave mockery toward the real world represents Paul s one week of bliss and superiority. However like the flowers in the shop, his time of lavishness ends and he wilts away as well.
This proves that things that go against nature or their natural state will not last forever just like Paul s dream of being rich and escaping Cordelia Street. Carnegie Hall is another example of symbolism which supports the theme because the brief rapture he feels during the acts and symphonies played there, vanishes once they are over. This is so because he knows when it is all over, he has to return to his drab life in Cordelia Street. In the same way, he steals money, lives the good life in New York and feels the temporary bliss he felt in Carnegie Hall. But when the money runs out, it was like returning to the drudgery of Cordelia Street after a joyous night of feeling economically superior in Carnegie Hall. Setting also plays an important role in supporting and reinforcing the theme of Paul s Case.
The story takes place in three main areas; Cordelia Street in Pittsburgh, Carnegie Hall and New York City. Paul says that only when he is ushering at Carnegie Hall does he feel alive and spirited because he feels part of a life that he thinks he belongs in. He feels that it raises him up beyond the lower middle class life that he lives in Cordelia Street. In New York, he feels the same way. He feels that his self respect is restored because he no longer has to lie daily as he used to back in Cordelia Street which is quite ironical because the brief days of extravagance that he lives are completely false. This accentuates the theme because when the money runs out, reality strikes and he knows he has to go back to Cordelia Street.
Cordelia Street signifies dread and death which was in fact his life; it is where he truly belongs. Paul s Case completely adheres to Poe s definition of a short story. This is so because every sentence and detail written in the story strengthens the theme. The use of literary elements such as symbolism and setting, help bring out and strongly support the theme of the story which is the message of life that the author attempts to express. Willa Cather has shown that artificiality, like a dreams, is not real and does not last forever. 31 e
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Research essay sample on Theme Of The Story Willa Cather
