... The rock, when one came to think of it, was the utmost expression of human need . . . the highest comparison of loyalty in love and friendship. Christ Himself had used that comparison for the disciple to whom He gave the keys of His Church. And the Hebrews of the Old Testament, always being carried ... in the heat, had confused the traveller, who was sensitive to the shape of things. (17-18) In resignation the priest closes his eyes, "to rest them from the intrusive omnipresence of the triangle" (18), and in this moment-which echoes a similar moment of potential narrative stillbirth in th...

• Word Count: 7335
• Approx Pages: 29
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... the text of Willa Cather's short story "Paul's Case" the use of symbols and motives help to develop and understand the main character. Paul is introduced as a smiling young man with disrespect for most things but the reader slowly comes to realize that his sense of the ... he does not appreciate it. As Paul views the art,  he is transported to a new world and his whole behavior changes as if he is on drugs. Paul again loses himself in the music of the symphony. Still, the music ... means nothing to Paul but "seemed to free some hilarious and potent spirit within him"" (p. 75). The music...

• Word Count: 2556
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School