The adults in Willa Cather's story "Paul's Case" generally view Paul as a bad case. Webster's Ninth Collegiate Dictionary defines a case as "a situation requiring investigation or action" (p. 211). However, none of the adults ever actually investigate why Paul acts the way he does. Although they frequently reprimand him for his behavior, no one ever tries to determine the cause of it. Paul is, in fact, a very depressed young man. He is unhappy at school, he is unhappy at home, and, in a way, he is even unhappy at the theater for he must constantly look at a life he knows he can never have for himself. Paul needs help but he never gets it. The lack of investigation into Paul's case ultimately leads to his demise.
             Even though Paul shows clear signs of depression at school, his teachers never take any time to try to help him. To the reader, Paul's case seems fairly typical. He is an unhappy teenager and so he acts out at school. In fact, the very first thing we learn about Paul is that he has been suspended from school. His instructors describe his behavior as "impertinent" (5) and "wrong" (10). Furthermore, they also note that Paul has an odd physical aversion to them. His English teacher describes an instance in which she tried to guide Paul's hand at the blackboard and he "started back with a shudder and thrust his hands violently behind him" (3). Unfortunately, Paul's instructors never try to figure out what exactly is wrong with Paul. Instead, they act mean and vindictive towards him. They are insulted by his obvious contempt for him, and during his appearance at the school, they "[fall] upon him without mercy" (4). They don't understand Paul and so they fear him and feel anger towards him when in fact they should be trying to help him. With very little investigation they would discove
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