Character Description of Paul in Willa Cather's Paul's Case
Paul’s Case by Willa Cather
“Paul entered the faculty room suave and smiling. His clothes were a trifle outgrown and the tan velvet on the collar of his open overcoat was frayed and worn; but for all that there was something of the dandy about him, and he wore an opal pin in his neatly knotted black four-in-hand, and a red carnation in his buttonhole” (P. 160). Even in a situation as serious as getting expelled from school, Paul shows very little empathy for his mistakes. He gives his superiors a bad attitude, snide remarks, and does not seem to have a clear picture of the reality that he may not be let back into school. The only thing that matters to Paul is his life at the theatre.
Paul uses many defense mechanisms to dissociate his real life from the fantasy world he has created at Carnegie Hall. Paul is separating his naturally occurring feelings from events or thoughts that are really happening. Although Paul is actually rude and cocky, he still manages to keep a smile on his face which keeps everyone guessing as to what his true nature is. Paul spends most of his time daydreaming and he ends up being late to his job at the theater; even though his job is very important to him and high on his priority list. Paul spends most of his time living in his fantasy world.
Paul is described as a bit odd, flamboyant, and very eccentric. He dreams of being famous, but feels like no one will ever understand him. He lies to get his way. When faced with conflict he withdraws from real life, escapes to the theatre, and becomes everything he has ever wanted to be. He is greatly offended by the sight of one of his teachers coming to the theatre to see a show. Carnegie Hall is “Paul’s World”, and she is not welcome. He is beside himself, does not know what to do, and is very dramatic over the whole situation. In reality Paul is gay and is looking for someone to blame for his homosexuality. Does Paul blame God for making him this way? Is this also a form of his
“Paul entered the faculty room suave and smiling. His clothes were a trifle outgrown and the tan velvet on the collar of his open overcoat was frayed and worn; but for all that there was something of the dandy about him, and he wore an opal pin in his neatly knotted black four-in-hand, and a red carnation in his buttonhole” (P. 160). Even in a situation as serious as getting expelled from school, Paul shows very little empathy for his mistakes. He gives his superiors a bad attitude, snide remarks, and does not seem to have a clear picture of the reality that he may not be let back into school. The only thing that matters to Paul is his life at the theatre.
Paul uses many defense mechanisms to dissociate his real life from the fantasy world he has created at Carnegie Hall. Paul is separating his naturally occurring feelings from events or thoughts that are really happening. Although Paul is actually rude and cocky, he still manages to keep a smile on his face which keeps everyone guessing as to what his true nature is. Paul spends most of his time daydreaming and he ends up being late to his job at the theater; even though his job is very important to him and high on his priority list. Paul spends most of his time living in his fantasy world.
Paul is described as a bit odd, flamboyant, and very eccentric. He dreams of being famous, but feels like no one will ever understand him. He lies to get his way. When faced with conflict he withdraws from real life, escapes to the theatre, and becomes everything he has ever wanted to be. He is greatly offended by the sight of one of his teachers coming to the theatre to see a show. Carnegie Hall is “Paul’s World”, and she is not welcome. He is beside himself, does not know what to do, and is very dramatic over the whole situation. In reality Paul is gay and is looking for someone to blame for his homosexuality. Does Paul blame God for making him this way? Is this also a form of his