Paul's Case Theoretical Perspective

Throughout Paul’s Case, it is undeniable that Paul was incredibly egocentric. His mannerisms and attitudes portrayed a mind that is solely focused on his own needs and desires. Not once in the story did he pause to consider the effect his actions and insolence had on those in his life, except, perhaps, to worry about a punishment he might receive. As he returned home from his job, for example, he felt no concern over his father’s worry for him, and simply dreaded the lecture he knew may receive. Too a point, a certain amount of self-serving egocentrism is typical for many people, particularly teenagers. However, Paul’s mental state was not healthy or typical. He caused discomfort and anger in his authority figures, drove his peers away, and was unable to form a connection with his family. Those that he respected and admired no longer became real people after his imagination took hold. Instead, his mind morphed them into romanticized symbols of wealth, power, and the exotic. This fantasy and his pervasive self-centeredness may have be a form of self-defense.

Paul clung fiercely to romanticism in a world of realism.

Unfortunately for Paul, because the world he lived in is so vastly different from the world he longed for, and because his reactions to this truth were so unpleasant, he drove a wedge between himself and those in his life. Paul lacked any close relationships, and despite the opportunities for relationships he received, with his father or his peers, what they offered was unworthy of his attention. Between egocentrism, his mother’s death, homosexual tendencies, and a wish for more from his life, Paul was disconnected and at odds with his world. With this in mind, it is little wonder he was

depressed.
From personal experience, I know that depression demands an escape. In some ways, I can identify with Paul. While he found his escape in consuming music and theater, I, as a young teenager, found it in books. Paul would intact as much of the arts as he was able, feeling fulfilled, joyful, and at peace during the production and I would feel much the same as I lost myself in any story that was not my own. As the music plays or the pages turn, the world and its problems no longer existed; in fact, you no longer existed. Going back to being Kaitlyn after I put down the book was unpleasant and made life seem even worse, just Paul suffered greatly during his return home after a performance. Looking back now, it seems that every time I buried myself in a book, refusing to sleep, or to eat, or to think about life, I died. I obliterated myself as much as possible so that another world may exit in my mind. I never truly considered taking or losing my own life, unlike Paul, but my fascination with death grew exponentially during this time.
Without my faith or my close relationship with my parents, it is quite likely that I would have experienced much more pain. With my relationship with God to ground me, and my parents to lean on, I knew that I had love, stability, and support. Paul had none of this. Egocentrism and classism, fueled by his own depression, blinded him to even his father’s love and deep concern. Without any support, it is little wonder that the theater became not only a method of escape, but his addiction. His pride would not allow him to seek help from those he considered below him, so, when his only method of escape was ripped away, it is understandable why he would believe that the only freedom he reach was in death.