`Paul`s Case` by Willla Cather

Paul 's Case , written by Willa Cather (1906 ) would seem to suggest that America 's relentless pursuit of the good life is apt to destroy young impressionable minds , making them yearn for things beyond their reach Paul escapes into a dream world where he indulges his morbid desire for cool things and soft lights and fresh flowers ' because he finds the atmosphere of Cordelia Street repulsive to his sensitive nature . A close look at Paul 's character would show us this story is not just about a case of psychological dis , but in

fact one boy 's revolt against the homilies by which the world is run , a disturbing view of society by which we are forced to take a closer look upon ourselves

First , we take a look at Paul 's character or personality . Paul appears on the surface to be a hopeless introvert : lonely , insecure , and averse to his physical surroundings . His teachers are outraged by his seeming insolence and defiance , although they acknowledge there is something wrong with the fellow ' and something sort of haunted about his smile , but nobody knows exactly how he feels . His drawing master suggests it may have something to do with his fragile health and the early death of his mother . Whether understood or not , Paul becomes a different person as he lives his fantasies albeit in a limited way during his stint as an usher at the Carnegie Hall , and while watching performers at the theatre in their rehearsals . He was a model usher gracious and smiling he ran up and down the aisles . he carried messages and brought programmes as though it were his greatest pleasure in life , and all the people in his section thought him a charming boy ' But it is during the performance that Paul is transported to another world . The first sigh of the instruments seemed to free some hilarious and potent spirit within him . He felt a sudden zest of life the lights danced before his eyes and the concert hall blazed into unimaginable splendor ' For him , it was impossible to give up this delicious excitement which was the only thing that could be called living at all

The reader may well ask : why does Paul dream of living in style if only to escape from the boring routine of Cordelia Street ? Daydreaming is an ordinary defense mechanism , and one can escape from his worldly cares temporarily by pretending to be a conquering hero or a suffering one There would be no harm in that . Perhaps the author would want us realize that the very thing we despise , i .e , money is the very thing we need to make our dream a reality . Paul hates Cordelia Street where fagged-looking businessmen got on the early car ' because its inhabitants are pre-occupied with thoughts on how to make money Society is wont to exert pressure on the youth to succeed . Paul 's father points out to him daily as a model ' a young man who had married...