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Paul's Case "Paul's Case, " by Willa Cather, is a story that deals with a young boy who grew up in a Calvinist household, where no luxuries exist in life that Paul so desperately wanted, and felt he deserved. He does not feel that he lives a life not suitable of his current position. After a close reading, it is evident that "Paul's Case" has irony and symbolism in it, which can be interpreted from the story through the words of the narrator. The irony woven throughout the text builds up to an epiphanic moment- the main paradox in the story, which reveals to the reader Paul's true nature.
Paul was a day dreaming boy. He was not thinking of his present status of his life. He saw the luxury life of the actors of theatre and always thought of living like them. He not even thought of how he would get money for such a luxurious life. He stole money &spent it in New York on luxury items in a short time. When all money spent, he became upset about end of his luxurious life & in this situation he committed suicide.
He was restricted from school because of his abnormal behaviour. He was not appreciated by teachers and teachers were anxious about his misdeeds in classroom. He was not careful about his studies & not having attention for learning. But one thing I would like to mention here that we know the school is a place were the interests of a child take shapes by learning for the future time. What a child learns in school days is basis for what he will do in his life in future. I mean, the teachers of Paul should thought of his interests and understand his life problems etc.
There is a lack of understanding of teachers more rather Pauls. On other side, Paul was from a low-income family. His mother was died of disease in his childhood. Father was busy with his work. He never tried to understand his son & his ambitions. He abused his son.
Paul was emotionally broken from his father. Nobody to care him at home or to guide him about what is right & what is wrong. Pauls fathers positive efforts could prevent the suicide of his son. Pauls suicide is his fathers failure as a father. Paul was very much interested in Carnegie Hall and it was a place, which he loved. Paul worked there as an usher.
Here, Paul lost himself in the music of the symphonies, artful scenery & the characters of the plays which he used to watch regularly in the theatre. Paul also enjoyed gallery art, he spent many hours a day in an art gallery in staring the paintings at Carnegie. He became lost in seemingly all forms of creative expression, whether it is a floral arrangement in a shop window or an orchestral swell at the beginning of a symphony. This high involvement shows his great interest in theatre. If this interest would be given a proper direction, it might lead to Paul, a great actor. Paul only followed the life style of the actors, not thought about the struggle to become an actor.
If he was guided properly, than he might think of becoming a successful actor. Instead of this, he stole money and spent on the luxurious life style. It indicates that Paul was lazy & easygoing guy. He not took the things seriously.
He lived in daydreams. Psychologically, this type of people shortly go towards committing suicide when come under the situation of pressure, fear or any act of misdeed. They develop an intention that no body will help him. The world seems worthless to them. They left hope & depressed by fear of punishment, shame and other things. The same thing happen in Pauls case.
He stole money. The first serious misconduct he made. When his theft would open he would be punished. This fear took him away from his father.
He became alone. Secondly, He spent money in rich cloths, Hotel, food etc. For some time he felt himself rich but when all money finished he came to his actual position. He rose and got down.
This down fall was unbearable to his personality. It broke him down on mental level. He did not think about other options & committed suicide & end his life. There are important aspect hidden in story which require attention: Why Paul thought of suicide? Why he did not thought about other options for survival?
Was Paul a learning disable fellow? Was Paul an introvert boy and having rigid personality? Was the role of family background of Paul positive or negative? Were the school teachers of Paul having right opinion about him? The every point discussed above is a turning point of story.
There may different views of research fellows about each aspect. I am discussing these aspects below with my views. Firstly, Paul thought of suicide. It was his wrong decision because life does not stop just because of some small misdeeds.
Lack of healthy guidance caused him to suicide. Secondly, Paul did not thought of other ways to survive. It means he was inexperienced about life difficulties and was not of broad thinking. He might apologise for his misdeeds and assure others not to repeat mistakes again. Thirdly, Paul was not a learning disable fellow. He was interesting in theatre and its life.
He was aware about life style of actors. In school he sometimes made running commentary on lectures. It means he know what was being taught by teachers. But he might dislike the teaching style. Fourthly, Paul was an introvert fellow.
He was not having close friends. Though all his classmates agreed that he was gentle. Every personality has its own characteristics but they change with experience, learning & knowledge. Paul should go in deep roots of his dreams.
He should discuss his dreams with other. His personality was not rigid. Training via the Pauls way could change it. Fifthly, the family background of Paul played a negative role in his life.
He was from a poor family. His father did not care about him. He abused his son emotionally. Pauls mother was died of disease in his childhood.
All these situations made Paul a boy of irritating behaviour. Lastly, The school teachers should care about Paul because ultimately school is a place of learning, not for punishment. Bibliography Willa Cather (1875 - 1947) Paul's Case < web >
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Research essay sample on Willa Cather Committed Suicide
