Paul's Case Group

Question:

uruhlurvesu
uruhlurvesu
Student
High School - 9th Grade

Cather uses the flowers as symbols in "Paul's Case". Explain the symbolism of the flowers in the following instances:

 

The red carnation in Paul’s lapel when he appears before the faculty.
When Paul approaches his house at night and thinks about flowers.
When Paul sees the flowers blooming behind the glass.
When Paul’s carnation droops because of the cold.

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Posted by uruhlurvesu on Tuesday August 19, 2008 at 6:58 PM and tagged with flowers, paul's case, pauls case, symbols.

Answers:


  1. kwoo1213 Teacher
    College - Junior

    eNotes Editor

    The flowers that appear consistently in the story represent Paul trying to see and find beauty in a very mundane, uncertain world.  When he wears the red rose when he appears before the faculty, it stands out in a negative way, appearing garish and tacky instead of beautiful and subtle.  Another example is when the carnation wilts towards the end of the story.  He buries the carnation in the snow, which can be symbolic of his own death.  He is burying himself in many ways, along with this hopes and his dreams:

    They also symbolize Paul, who, like flowers in winter, is out of place. The flower-killing snow Paul sees on the train to New York and by the railroad tracks at the story's end provide a stark contrast to the bright flowers Paul surrounds himself with. (eNotes)

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/pauls-case/style

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    Posted by kwoo1213 on Tuesday August 19, 2008 at 7:20 PM

  2. tifflers
    tifflers Student
    College - Freshman

    The flower also symbolizes Paul's trip to New York at the end of the story. He is aware that it is a temporal fling and that in a short period it will be over. Nonetheless, he indulges in it as his beautiful, albeit transient, moment of life. Just like the red carnation that he loves so much. The flower is already dead so its beauty is temporary. In just a day or two the cut flower will start to resemble its reality and its petals will turn brown and shrivel. Similarly, Paul's trip is beautiful while he is living it, but it is not his reality. He is allowing himself to be deceived so that he can experience what he feels he wants out of life.

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    Posted by tifflers on Thursday October 16, 2008 at 6:42 AM