... his own life. Within 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 world is irrational and his inner flaws are gradually exposed.  Paul has created ... 's addiction, a solitary drug and pleasure that replaces knowledge and makes him intolerant of people he thinks he is better than. He has isolated himself in a world where material things settle all of his needs. Whe...

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

... writing, ambiguous meanings, implied motifs, and similar hidden themes. Hemingway's short story, "Hills Like White Elephants," is a narrative "in which little actually 'happens'" to the protagonists, which means that almost all of the substance emerges from the vague dialogue between the man and the girl, Jig (Link 3). In short stories, language is particularly notable because the decision ... ; is used in the short story five times. The last time the phrase is used the word "hill" is replaced with "things" allowing for other possible "white elephants" to exist in the story (Link 4)...

• Word Count: 3072
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... story is the irony of fate and how life can take unpredictable turns. The author infers that Mrs. Mallard was not happily married with her husband by using some ironic symbols. In the story, Chopin describes Mrs. Mallard as having "a heart trouble,"" (Chopin 261). Her use of the article, "a- shows that it is not just heart trouble, but another type of ... . In the end, every inch of her body would be relaxed in death. These ironic statements contribute to the theme of the irony of fate, because they give an understanding to what could happen to Mrs. Mallard and why. Chopin uses many iron...

• Word Count: 4614
• Approx Pages: 18
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... quot;, "Dream work" and "Ideal Female complex" in this short story. Furthermore, this paper examines the psychological themes, motifs and symbols available in the story. The whole thing happening in the story will be presented as a dream analysis of the narrator. In addition, the Gothic tradition ... "Fixation" on this phase in his early childhood was the reason, involving him to search for maternal figures during his whole life. It must be a terrible blow for him not to have someone to support him in any possible manner a child must be supported. Then he is adopted by ... senses are g...

• Word Count: 3098
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... all black cats as witches in disguise." (p.12) Even though the narrator denies this, much as the narrator in "The Tell-Tale Heart" denies that he is insane, the reader becomes increasingly aware of his superstitious belief as the story progresses. Superstition has it that Satan and witches assume the form of black cats. For those who believe, they are symbols ... of bad luck, death, witchcraft, sorcery, and the spirits of the dead. Appropriately, the narrator calls his cat, Pluto, a name that alludes to the Greek and Roman mythology, where Pluto was ... remember the state of mind of the ...

• Word Count: 4324
• Approx Pages: 17
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School