Symbolism in “Paul’s Case” Literature Essay Example

Willa Cather wrote “Paul’s Case” during the Industrial Revolution, a movement that promoted Romanticism in the arts. Romanticism encourages intellectual thought and imaginative nature. “Paul’s Case” is a deeply symbolic story that emphasizes Paul’s inner conflict for the reader to understand and relate to Paul. In Willa Cather’s “Paul’s Case,” symbolism represents Paul’s internal struggles and foreshadows his death.

First, glass represents Paul’s yearning for freedom, yet it also doubles as a barrier that confines and shelters him. As Paul leaves his evening shift at Carnegie Hall, he follows the lead singer to her hotel, the Schenley. Peering through the glass doors of the Schenley, Paul imagines himself entering the lavish interior and “basking” in its luxury (326). The glass doors taunt Paul; they play the role of a gate providing entrance into the world he desires, yet it is closed to him, obstructing his access to a life of glamour and excess. The red glass pitcher is also a symbol of Paul’s imaginative, unrealistic facade. Like Paul, it is greatly decorated: the glass pitcher with enameled blue forget-me-nots, and Paul with his signature red carnation. He attempts to use accessories to mask his discontentment, but others see through his disguise. Paul adorns himself with flowers and fancy clothes, but like the glass pitcher, his neighbors, teachers, and classmates (believe his attitude to be an unmerited superiority complex//suspicious nature). Another symbolic use of glass occurs as Paul reflects over the flowers in the glass case at the Park. The story slows and the tone shifts as Paul examines the flowers within the case and how snow dissolves on the side of the glass. Paul recognizes that the glass protected the flowers from the harsh winter snow, prompting them to appear “vastly more lovely and alluring that they blossomed thus unnaturally in the snow” (334). He later describes these flowers as having “brave mockery against the winter outside the glass” (338). Paul mocks everything that confines him—his father, teachers, neighbors, Cordelia Street—and resolves to free himself of these obstacles.

Trains also illustrate symbolism, as they represent the inevitability of Paul’s death. Paul chooses a train as his method of escaping to New York. He attempts to kill his old life and start a new one more accustomed to his desires. Paul’s new life is simply an unrealistic fantasy. Although he and Charley Edwards had designed the escape from Pittsburg “not once, but a hundred times,” the moment Paul boards the train to New York, there is no going back (332). Paul cannot survive on the funds he has stolen from Denny & Carson. Stepping onto the eastbound train is Paul’s death sentence. Paul’s loneliness and inability to hold onto meaningful relationships reveal themselves as the freshman at Yale leaves Paul to make his train. What began with the “confiding warmth of a champagne friendship” ended in a “singularly cool” manner, leaving Paul truly alone in New York (336). Paul’s loneliness fuels his desire to create a grand escapade of his life, a story that is only completed through his death. The most prevalent example of trains portraying death reveals itself as Paul commits suicide by jumping in front of a train. Paul’s “frightened smile” moments before his ostentatious resolution displays his last few moments of conflict (339). Only after he jumps does his mind wander and he grounds himself in reality. He finally understands the gravity of his situation as the train strikes his body. Paul chose a train as his method of execution, allowing him to “[drop] back into the immense design of things” (339).

Finally, time represents how Paul views the world as a dramatic performance; he must complete his last spectacular act before the curtain closes. Paul believes he does not have time for his homework when there are better things to do. He would much rather spend his time at Carnegie Hall, imagining himself with a life he is not willing to work towards. Paul “had no mind for the cash-boy stage”, yet he still wished to reap its benefits (329).  Paul wants to skip over his current responsibilities yet acquire a luxurious lifestyle. He also reveals his disgust for wasted time by describing the clerk as a man who lost 5 years of his life. The clerk attempted to “save the loss of time” by marrying and having kids, but the idea disgusts Paul (328). Paul does not want to live modeled after a man whose greatest accomplishment is getting married and making a steady income. Paul intends to use the time he has to make a spectacle. Paul also mentions that Cordelia Street is not fit for the time. After leaving for New York, Paul tries to put his memories of home behind him. When he realizes his father is searching for him and time is running out, he feels that “all the world has become Cordelia Street” (338). Paul determines to “finish the thing splendidly” and complete the final act of his play (337).

Symbolism in “Paul’s Case” reveals Paul’s character and his flaws, guiding him and the reader towards Paul’s ultimate demise. Paul’s internal conflict shapes his mentality. It allows the reader to understand Paul on a deep, personal level. Paul’s mindset reflects the Romantic nature of the time. Paul lived centerstage, always followed by the spotlight, until finally, he decided “the play was over” (337).