Historical Context
From 1900 to 1910, America experienced significant growth in business and industry. Fortunes were amassed in the production of steel and iron, with figures like Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, and J. P. Morgan earning immense wealth during this era. These men, often labeled as "robber barons," accumulated their riches through dubious labor practices and enjoyed government favor due to their role in building the infrastructure essential for the United States to emerge as a global power. In "Paul's Case," these industrial magnates are referenced as the "iron kings" during Sunday afternoon conversations on Cordelia Street.
With fewer business regulations than today, industry leaders aggressively chased profits, which enabled them to indulge in extravagant consumption. Thorstein Veblen, in The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899), introduced the term "conspicuous consumption" to describe the lavish display of wealth through clothing, travel, automobiles, and architecture. This ostentatious use of wealth is vividly depicted in "Paul's Case," particularly in the New York section, highlighting the Waldorf Hotel, Paul's fine clothing and silk underwear, champagne, and opera outings. Edith Wharton's novel The House of Mirth, published the same year, also explores high society, focusing on a young, beautiful upper-class woman who attempts to secure her fortune through marriage but struggles to sacrifice either love or wealth.
Despite their immense wealth, some of the affluent found ways to contribute to societal welfare. Andrew Carnegie, for instance, became the nation's foremost philanthropist by donating to libraries, foundations, and arts venues, including the music halls named after him in New York City and, as mentioned in "Paul's Case," Pittsburgh.
Style and Technique
The short story "Paul's Case" expertly combines irony, symbolism, and allusion to portray the tragic journey of a young man's pursuit of beauty and wealth. Through the ironic contrast between Paul's perceptions and reality, the symbolic use of flowers, and the rich allusions to cultural and historical references, readers are guided through a nuanced exploration of identity and societal expectations. These literary techniques paint a vivid portrait of a character caught between his dreams and the bounds of his mundane existence.
Irony
"Paul's Case" centers on a high school student so captivated by the allure of wealth and art that he escapes to New York City on stolen funds to savor a life of opulence, albeit temporarily. His story ends tragically as he chooses to end his life when confronted with the inevitability of returning to his former, middle-class existence. The narrator employs irony with a subtle, distanced tone that contrasts Paul's romanticized view of wealth with harsh realities. While Paul views Cordelia Street with disdain, it is, in fact, depicted as a "perfectly respectable" neighborhood—emphasizing the contrast between his perceptions and the world around him. Moreover, Paul's enchantment with the arts is juxtaposed with less glamorous truths, such as the gritty description of a "cracked orchestra" whose music fails to live up to his grandiose expectations. This ironic narrative voice engages readers to reflect critically on Paul's misguided aspirations.
Symbolism
Cather employs symbolism to deepen the story's exploration of Paul's character and worldview. Flowers feature prominently as motifs representing both Paul's personality and his vision of life. The red carnation, worn by Paul when meeting his teachers, embodies his rebellious and audacious nature. It is described as "flippantly red" and "scandalous," suggesting his defiance of societal norms. Throughout the story, flowers represent Paul's pursuit of beauty within a perceived drab existence, as seen in his admiration of the vibrant yet transient flowers in New York's glass cases. At the story's conclusion, Paul's burial of the wilted red carnation in the snow becomes a poignant emblem of his own life—extravagant yet ephemeral, vibrant yet out of place. The stark contrast between the colorful flowers and the cold, life-draining snow mirrors the conflict between Paul's desires and his reality.
Allusion
Allusions enrich "Paul's Case" by linking Paul's internal struggles to broader cultural and historical contexts. References to disguises underscore Paul's life of deception. For example, the opera Martha is invoked, highlighting themes of identity and the consequences of living in disguise. At his last New York dinner, the music from Pagliacci evokes imagery of clowns and masks, further exploring the tension between appearance and reality. Additionally, the allusion to a genie trapped in a bottle calls to mind the Arabian Nights, illustrating how confined Paul feels within his ordinary surroundings. Cather also draws parallels to the decadence of imperial Rome, as seen when Paul wraps himself in a "Roman blanket" after a luxurious bath, reminiscent of Roman opulence and indulgence. These allusions deepen the narrative by connecting Paul's personal plight to broader themes of identity, deception, and the pursuit of beauty.
Compare and Contrast
1900s: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, emerged as the epicenter of steel production in the United States. Numerous industrial tycoons, such as Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, and J. P. Morgan, amassed great wealth through steel manufacturing. When residents of Cordelia Street recount their "legends of the iron kings," they are likely referring to these prominent Pittsburgh figures.
Today: Although steel remains one of the top ten industries in America, the last of Pittsburgh's steel mills had closed by the end of the 1980s.
1900s: The newfound wealth of the country spurred the construction of opulent hotels in American cities, drawing affluent travelers and rivaling the grandeur of European palaces. In Pittsburgh, Paul is captivated by the Schenley Hotel, while in New York, he opts to stay at the Waldorf, the epitome of luxury hotels.
Today: Urban luxury hotels have seen a decline in popularity. With the advent of the jet age, distant destinations have become more accessible, prompting wealthy vacationers to favor resort areas like the Caribbean or the French Riviera.
1900s: The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching was established with a $10 million endowment from Andrew Carnegie, the Pittsburgh steel magnate who dedicated his later years to philanthropy, funding numerous cultural and educational institutions. Carnegie also founded Pittsburgh's Carnegie Music Hall, where Paul works as an usher.
Today: Over 2,500 public libraries owe their creation to Andrew Carnegie. In an era of dwindling public funding for education and culture, Carnegie's legacy continues to significantly influence the state of American education.
1900s: Aestheticism was a significant artistic movement, advocating "art for art's sake." Aestheticists believed in the pursuit of beauty as an end in itself and maintained that art should be free from social, political, or ethical obligations.
Today: While Aestheticism still has its adherents, many contemporary artists believe that art should address and influence social issues. Multiculturalism, a movement aiming to integrate non-white, non-Western expressions into mainstream American culture, exemplifies this shift.
Adaptations
"Paul's Case" was adapted for television by Lamont Johnson, with Ed Lynch as the producer. The adaptation featured performances by Eric Roberts, Michael Higgins, and Lindsay Crouse. It aired on PBS in 1980 as part of the "American Short Story Series, Part 2." The 52-minute film can be obtained from Coronet/MTI Film & Video.
In 1981, the story was also made available as a book-on-tape by Harper Collins.
Additionally, in 1986, Caedmon Audio Cassette released an audio version of Paul's Case.
Bibliography
Sources
"And Death Comes for Willa Cather, Famous Author," in Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, April 25, 1947.
Arnold, Marilyn. Willa Cather's Short Fiction, Ohio University Press, 1984.
Bloom, Harold. Willa Cather, Chelsea House, 1985, pp. 71-86, 177-83.
Brown, Edward Killoran and Leon Edel. Willa Cather: A Critical Biography. Alfred A. Knopf, 1953.
Carpenter, David A. "Why Willa Cather Revised 'Paul's Case': The Work in Art and Those Sunday Afternoons," in American Literature, Vol. 59, no. 4, December 1987, pp. 590-608.
O'Brien, Sharon. Willa Cather: The Emerging Voice, Oxford University Press, 1987.
Rosowski, Susan J. The Voyage Perilous: Willa Cather's Romanticism, University of Nebraska Press, 1986.
Summers, Claude J. "A Losing Game in the End: Aestheticism and Homosexuality in Cather's 'Paul's Case'," in Modern Fiction Studies, Vol. 36, 1990, pp. 103-19.
Wasserman, Loretta. Willa Cather, G.K. Hall, 1991.
Weigel, John A. "What Kind of Psychology for Students of Literature?," in CEA Critic, Vol. 20, 1958, pp. 1, 5.
Woodress, James. Introduction to The Troll Garden by Willa Cather, edited by James Woodress, University of Nebraska Press, 1983.
Further Reading
Discovering Authors Modules (CD-ROM publication), Gale Research,
1996.
Includes biographical details on Cather's life and works, along with excerpts
from various critical essays.
Short Story Criticism, Vol. 2, Gale Research, 1989, pp. 88-122.
Features excerpts from ten critical essays on Cather's works, with Carpenter's
essay and the introduction offering an in-depth analysis of "Paul's Case."
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.