What meaning does art hold in the lives of people? Is it simply available for entertainment, or to display power and prestige? On the other hand, is art the personification of light and happiness in one's life? In "Paul's Case" by Willa Cather, Paul sees the world of art as an escape from reality and his "real" life. Paul is not content with his dreary life on Cordelia Street in Pittsburgh. He escapes the drabness through his work as an usher at Carnegie Hall. He dreams of living the life of the performers he sees there. Paul loses himself in the music of the symphonies, the characters of the plays, and in the artful scenery. His fantasies become much more important than his real life. For example, Paul does not concentrate on his studies and he is taken out of school and must begin working to support himself. Stealing money from his new place of employment, Paul leaves Pittsburgh for glamorous New York City. Paul lives the life of his dreams for a few days before his money runs out. When he realizes that he would have to return home and accept his punishment, he kills himself. "Paul's Case" by Willa Cather illustrates the power of art in one's life through symbols of light and dark.
             For Paul, everything on Cordelia Street conveys a general symbol and aura of despair. Cordelia Street itself is littered with soot, dirt, cookie cutter houses, and city-dwellers. Paul's house is full of hopelessness and futility. Most importantly Paul's room illustrates an "ugly sleeping chamber" (271). Paul despises his room so much that is it reduced to a sleeping chamber, not a room that one could "hang out" in. His room is covered in "horrible yellow wallpaper" (270). The wallpaper is dingy, and signifies the dismal atmosphere of Paul's home life. Even Paul's bed tells the reader something about him. The bed is covered in chipping ...