Paul's Case By Willa Cather

In the beginning of the short story “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather, the reader is introduced to the main character, Paul, and his dissatisfaction with his hometown of Pittsburgh, specifically the lack-luster Cordelia Street that he grew up on. As the story progresses, the author continually alludes to Paul’s character by switching from his viewpoint to that of an outsiders. Through both the characterization and interactions the author describes, it is obvious that Paul is a narcissist with a disdain for his hometown and the people in it. Throughout the story, Willa Cather described interactions between Paul and other characters. In the beginning of the story, the first interaction was with Paul’s teachers as they reviewed their grievances with Paul’s behavior in the classroom. Notably, the narrator reflected, “Once when he had been making a synopsis of a paragraph at the blackboard, his English teacher had stepped to his side and attempted to guide his hand. Paul had started back with a shudder and thrust his hands violently behind him” (Cather 178). Paul’s next encounter with his English teacher at the music hall where his reaction to seeing his teacher was yet again unusual, “Paul was startled for a moment, and had the feeling of wanting to put her out; what

For example, as Paul watches the coming-and-going of his neighbors, he feels uncomfortable in their company, as if he doesn’t belong among them, as if he was destined for more. Another example is, when in comparison to the neighbor man his father idolizes, Paul is apprehensive of the man’s stories, since he has somewhat settled in life, and is disdainful that his father pays the man so much attention. It is evident that Paul has deemed himself of a higher status than his neighbors and will only be civil when amongst them for the sake of