Pauls Case
In Willa Cather's story, "Paul's Case," Paul suffered setbacks and dilemmas because he never knew his mother as she died around the time of his birth. Therefore he is lacking the maternal guidance of emotional stability that every child needs to grow mentally. Paul is withdrawn from society, and he resorts to the arts and music to feel comfortable and free from his disassociation and sense of loneliness.One should not be confused and believe that his father was not loving or caring of Paul because his father did what he could to support Paul and to do all he could to get Paul out of problem situations. He just was not very keen on Paul's needs, especially his manners or clothing. The narrator described Paul's clothes as being "a trifle outgrown, and the tan velvet on the collar of his open overcoat was frayed and worn" (67). Men are not the gender who is as observant and uptight about people's attires. Men tend to desire less than women do, and this was inflicted upon Paul since it was his father who was overseeing Paul's limits on material well-being. It takes more of a female's point of view to judge if something looks perfect, and Paul and his father did not have this type of direction around. A master
Hostility was another one of his ways to avoid his shame and embarrassment in not knowing how to achieve appropriately. These forms of art gave him excitement and enjoyment for the moment. He was on his own and thrived on his independence, which helped him in achieving his desires and meaning of self - confidence. Paul kept returning to Carnegie Hall and the theatre for the freedom it permitted. I believe this was his mother emerging from inside him - it was qualities and likings of hers that made Paul feel complete. Even his home, away from the association with others, made Paul feel miserable inside. He was repressed and paranoid that people could see through him and see his insecurity. Since he had no proper background of how to adequately interact with people, and respect others beliefs and values regardless of ones status, Paul lied to fit in. Paul had no indication as to how he was supposed to treat those who were older than him. He was a step behind others about the knowledge of distinguishing the difference between right and wrong. Could his mother have been able to cure this if she were present?Bibliography Works CitedCather, Willa. Lies gave him the boosted self-assurance that he dreamed of as well as making him become noticed, whether it is negative or positive.
Common topics in this essay:
Carnegie Hall,
Paul Paul,
Cordelia Street,
Paul's Paul,
York Norton,
Bausch Shorter,
carnegie hall,
Willa Cather's,
paul father,
carnegie hall theatre,
paul feel,
hall theatre,
cordelia street,
able recognize,
blue league,
mother died,
nervous tension,
paul paul,
|