Paul's Case Analysis

The symbolism Willa Cather incorporated into the story is crucial to understanding the way Paul's character progresses from beginning to end. In the beginning of the story Paul feels anxious about the things he wants and longs for in life, while at the same time feeling distraught towards the way he was currently living. The luxurious lifestyles of musicians and hotels that they stayed symbolized his admiration for their lifestyles. This explains Paul's fancy for hotels later in the story. As Cather states on page 205, at the end of the first paragraph “He had no desire to become an actor , any more than he had to become a musician.” It wasn't about the career that he wanted, it was about the things that he to see and the atmosphere that he wanted to be in, that was the same as these individuals. Being in their presence brought Paul to life and sparked a flame of excitement and happiness into his heart and soul. Cather makes it clear that it is not the individuals that Paul is admiring, but their way of life, and every small detail of it, including the things they did, the things they saw, the places they went, the things they wore, even the food they ate, he idolized every aspect of it. The musicians and actors were a mere symbol of all the things he desired. Along with the things Paul wanted in life, Cather also symbolized the things he didn't want and disliked about his life. Paul would be in deep delight at the sound of music and orchestras or watching a group of musicians enjoying themselves or entering a hotel, almost in a trance like state and he would snap back to reality and realize that he was from happy where he was. The way Cather describes his household on page 202 alone, is enough to reveal Paul's deep animosity towards it. Paul can't even stand Cordelia street, the street where his house is located, and dreads returning home each day, the thoughts of his house and the street its on upset him upon coming to his mind. Paul's father symbolizes his