Willa Cather’s 1905 short-story “Paul’s Case” asks the reader what Paul’s “case”. Cather seems to have left clues throughout the story about Paul’s problems. Cather provides clues to Paul’s difficulties. Paul’s actions show these potential factors. Some examples of his worrying behavior include his views about society and his poor choices towards the end.
“Paul’s Case”, Willa Cather’s story about Willa Cather, opens with a meeting to discuss whether Paul should be allowed to return school after his suspension from the week before. It becomes apparent that Paul was not the person everyone could understand. Paul’s mother died at the tender age of just five years old. It is evident that he wouldn’t be able to recall the event, or even think about it. However, there are many effects of losing your parent. Narcissistic personality disorder can be a result of the loss of a parent. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) can lead to a feeling of superiority over others and a sense that one is entitled to more than they earn. Other symptoms include: “Feeling or behaving in a socially distressing way, limiting their capacity to function at work and school… Feeling a certain entitlement — and becoming impatient and angry when not receiving special care. One may want to have …” the best (Mayo Clinic). Paul’s arrogant nature is a clear sign of NPD. Paul’s teachers realise that they need to be gentler with him and allow him back to school. Paul is then allowed to return to Carnegie Hall as an usher. Paul considers himself a usher. This occupation is something Paul appreciates and finds it somewhat alarming. Paul seems to be obsessed by theater and art. He felt a sudden joy and excitement as the lights danced around him and the concert hall burst into unimaginable splendor. Paul’s euphoric feelings are described in the author’s account. For someone with disorderly mental health, such escapes won’t be of any benefit to him. He’s already so out-of-touch with reality that any more delusions would only make matters worse. He follows the symphony’s singer from the show, and he stands outside daydreaming of a lavish life. He felt that his daydreams of this lifestyle should have been reflected the possibility that he could live in such a disorder. His actions reflect this possibility. His actions can also reflect other issues in Paul. Willa Cather describes Paul’s street as “highly respected”. Paul begins to feel a shuddering feeling of disapproval as he makes his way home. He is unhappy with the simplicity of life around him. (Cather) He is still content with his life and wants more. His disorderly personality can explain his greedy tendencies. Paul’s return home reveals new details about him. Cather says that Paul had a fear about rats and didn’t like his basement. But, in order to avoid being confronted by his father, Paul decided to stay down there. This shows how strongly he feels towards his father. The reader will see that Paul’s father doesn’t have any strong feelings for Paul. Paul’s father is very supportive of his son and it shows in the way he wishes him well. Paul and Charley go to the theater together, where they become friends. Cather describes their relationship saying, “For more then a whole year Paul had been loitering in Charley Edwards’s wardrobe…the young actor, who couldn’t afford to hire an actress” (Cather). Willa Cather adds that Paul was attracted to theater. But, Cather says that it was a fairy tale for Paul, which had for him the allurement that a secret love. This statement may suggest that Paul was homosexual. The possibility of an unresolved Oedipus complex is suggested by his feelings towards Charley and his feelings towards his father. According to Sigmund Frud’s Oedipus Complex theory, a child’s development should include a “…desire and a mutual sense of rivalry with one parent. This is vital because it shapes a child’s personality. When the child realizes that they can’t have sex with their parent, they subconsciously take some traits from their parent to try to be like them. Paul had only one father throughout his life. Paul didn’t complete this Freud-inspired process. It is vital for sexual development. It could have led to him being more sexually inclined than his father. Paul’s issues may have been made worse by his homosexuality. This idea is further confirmed in the story, where Paul meets another boy. Paul may have suffered from an unresolved Oedipus complex and Narcissistic personality disorder. These factors will have a significant impact on Paul’s fate. Paul’s Case” is filled with Paul’s loss and growing disillusionment. Paul’s Narcissistic personality Disorder symptoms grow as he gets closer to Charley. Paul braggingly tells his classmates about his friendship with Charley and the theater. Paul’s father and school find it alarming. Paul’s father eventually pulls him from school and forces him to quit his job at the theatre. Along with removing his dream job from him, he won’t let him see Charley. Paul’s father wasn’t doing it to hurt Paul. He did it for Paul. Paul travels overnight to New York City after these events. “He planned every detail for this trip, even down to the fresh flowers in his room,” (Cather). Paul received his NPD yet again upon his arrival. Paul had been working somewhere else before he moved to New York. He was asked to deposit money at a bank. However, he kept the majority. He now lives in New York and decides to live the life he’s always wanted. Paul visits stores to buy the finest clothes and shoes. He then checks in at Waldorf. These few days are the best days of his life. He feels he belongs there after spending a night with the orchestra. Paul is then reunited with a Yale student. Cather suggests Paul had sexual relations with the Yale student that night. “… After dinner, the two boys went together. Paul didn’t return home until seven o’clock morning the next morning. This is yet more evidence of Paul’s unresolved Oedipus Complication and his homosexuality. Paul’s thievery made it into the newspaper shortly thereafter. Paul is shocked to read that his father had returned the money. Paul then contemplates the future and his old street. He realized what he had lived for when his last day came. “…he understood that money was everything. It was the barrier that separated all he hated from all he wanted. Paul realizes that he must head towards the train to avoid going home. Instead, he will jump in front of the approaching train. He does exactly that. It’s obvious that Paul planned this trip to enjoy a last great experience.
Paul’s Case is about a protagonist who has a traumatic past. He suffers from Narcissistic personality disorder and an unresolved Oedipus Complex. Paul also experienced a number of negative experiences that made him feel like he wouldn’t be able to fulfill his destiny in life. Paul didn’t appreciate much, and he had a negative view of life and society. Paul felt that he wasn’t part of the community he lived in and required more money to make it happen.
Works citées
Cather Willa “Paul’s case” 1905 Print
Mayo Clinic “Narcissistic personality Disorder” November 8, 2014.
The editors of Encyclopedia Britannica’s “Oedipus Complex” Website
