man with outstretched arms walking down black stairs away from a city skyline and stepping into nothing

Paul's Case

by Willa Cather

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Paul's Case Questions and Answers

In "Paul's Case", what details of Paul's appearance and behavior suggest he is abnormal?

What do Paul's trips to the stock theater, New York, and his suicide have in common in "Paul's Case"?

Compare Paul with the college boy he meets in New York in "Paul's Case."

Is Paul in "Paul's Case" a static or a developing character? If developing, when does he change?

In "Paul's Case," is Paul a static or dynamic character?

Why does the author mention pictures of George Washington and John Calvin in "Paul's Case?"

In "Paul's Case", where does the point of view shift occur? Whose perspective is shown before and after this change, and what purpose does this shift serve?

Why does Paul feel the need to lie to everyone in "Paul's Case"?

What clues suggest causes of Paul's unusual personality in "Paul's Case"?

What are the implications of the title in "Paul's Case"? How does the last sentence impact the reader's focus?

What are the main themes in "Paul's Case"?

Why is the story titled "Paul's Case"?

What details of Paul's appearance and behavior in "Paul's Case" indicate he is different from other boys?

What are the two cities in the story's setting, and do they hold symbolic value? Could they be replaced validly with other cities?

Why does Paul, in "Paul's Case," enjoy the theatre and working as an usher?

What techniques does Willa Cather use to establish sympathy for Paul in "Paul's Case"?

Why might Paul have committed suicide in "Paul's Case"? Could he have regretted this decision?

What is the significance of the final sentence in "Paul's Case"?

Why does Paul mention the folly of his haste and what he left undone in "Paul's Case"?

How is reality vs. fantasy explored in "Paul's Case" and "The Fall of the House of Usher"?

In “Paul's Case,” how did Paul’s father and Charley Edwards react to Paul’s death?

Is Paul portrayed as gay in "Paul's Case"?

Is Paul in "Paul's Case" a likable or sympathetic character? Why?

Compare and contrast Paul's isolation and the people around him in "Paul's Case."

What triggers Paul to run away to New York and how does he do it?

Why do you think Cather chose "Paul's Case" as the title for her story?

Identify four types of conflicts in "Paul's Case."

What unique characteristics does Paul display in his interview in "Paul's Case"?

Why does Paul commit suicide in "Paul's Case"?

What is Paul's character like in "Paul's Case"?

What are three reasons why Paul is unhappy at home, given the contrast between his drab home life and the glamorous world outside?

What does Paul's quote about the cash boys' triumphs mean in "Paul's Case"?

What are some conflicts in Paul's Case?

In "Paul's Case," how do Paul's troubles lead to his suicide?

Where does the narrator's point of view change in "Paul's Case"?

What is the significance of the red carnation in Paul's Case?

What does the symbolism of flowers represent in "Paul's Case", especially the red carnation, Paul's thoughts about flowers, the flowers behind the glass, and the drooping carnation?

In "Paul's Case," why does Paul enter his house through the basement window? What does "the last supposition Paul entertained" imply?

In "Paul's Case," does Paul regret his actions in the end?

What is Paul's behavior in "Paul's Case" and what is his motivation?

Can you explain Paul's behavior in "Paul's Case"?

What might be the moral or lessons in "Paul's Case"?

Why is Paul irritated and wretched after the concert in "Paul's Case"?

In "Paul's Case," why does Paul leave home and what is he hoping to find?

Is Paul in "Paul's Case" by Willa Cather responsible for his internal conflicts?

What are some examples of irony in "Paul's Case"?

What motivates Paul in the story "Paul's Case"?

How does Cather use point of view in "Paul's Case" to advance plot, develop characters, and shape the theme?

What could Paul's father have done differently in "Paul's Case" to influence Paul's life?

In "Paul's Case," what unique physical features of Paul cause him embarrassment?