In Willa Cather's short story Paul's Case we learn of a young man who is fighting what he fears most: to be as common and plain as his world around him. How others perceive Paul only encourages him to fulfill his dream of escaping his monotonous lifestyle. Paul feels he is drowning in his everyday environment and his only breath of air is his savior: the theater. Paul has very little interest in his class studies. This leaves him open to distraction and eventually criticism. Although Paul's appearance is that of a perfect gentleman, his teachers find his behavior inappropriate and unacceptable...

• Word Count: 983
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Too often in today's society are people merely defined as their habits: he is a smoker, she is an alcoholic, etc., when these individuals are much more. Little attention is paid to what such people do, or what their particular stories are. In written work, though, as opposed to life, the characters can be examined, their vices scrutinized, and, eventually, all can be tied into the various stories" prevalent themes. Such is the matter in Willa Cather's "Paul's Case" and James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues." The title character in Cather's short story voyages from his drab life and home in Pittsburgh...

• Word Count: 727
• Approx Pages: 3

Analysis of Idea in "Paul's Case" Idea is, as defined by Hugh H. Paschal, "The author's central meaning or the theme of a literary work" (372). Paschal also states that an idea is the author's means of presenting a point which may change the way his reader views life and lives it (67). Sometimes the idea may be clearly stated. More often, the idea is implied or suggested through other elements. In fact, one can determine the idea by looking closely at other literary elements involved, such as characterization, setting, events, point of view, tone, irony, imagery, etc. In other words, idea is i...

• Word Count: 1379
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

Paul's Case By Willa Cather Analyzing Paul of "Paul's Case" In the story "Paul's Case," Paul's behavior is nonchalant, but yet respectful at times. On the outside, Paul acts like a rebellious teenager, but in the home he is a very honorable son and he obeys his father inside the house, but once outside he betrays his father. Paul has this love for all types of art, such as music, painting and theater, but he is not much of a reader. Paul respects the community of theater arts, music, literature, and thinks of these people as geniuses and as well - rounded people. Paul's peers and father think ...

• Word Count: 1149
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School