Colors can symbolize an array of different feelings. In this case the story refers to several colors, which symbolize his frustrations, feelings and desires. In ‘Paul’s Case’ yellow refers to the ugliness, lies and fears in his life, blue indicates his dream world, red represents his desire to see himself differently, and purple pulses with luxury, royalty and prosperity in Paul’s new life.
The first color that stands out the most is yellow because it refers to the ugliness, lies and fears in Paul’s life. Yellow symbolizes the ugliness, lies, and fears throughout Paul’s lifespan in the story. First of all, yellow makes Paul think of his house and how much he truly does repulse it. He never likes arriving in his room with his “horrible yellow wallpaper” (248). He response as though he is appalled by "the sight of it all; his ugly sleeping chamber; the cold bathroom with the grimy zinc tub, the cracked mirror, the dripping spigots" (249). Another yellow flash in Paul’s list of personality flaws is his lack of integrity, brought on by his chronic lying: …show more content…
It represents his desire to see himself differently in his own reality and in his dream world. He wants to be strong yet confident but always in control. In his own reality he wears a "scandalous red carnation"(). Paul portrays his disrespectful, overconfidence and rebelliousness to a society with middle-class values, so that he can declare his independence from them. For example he is proud to purchase a new "red robe" while in New York because it enables him to express his boldness in a daring way (254). Another example is when he talks about the "red velvet carpet laid from the door to the street" for him to walk up and down, proclaiming his freedom at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City (256). Red not only offers Paul bravery but also is a frequent memento of his own power of preferences as he prepares for his striking