Paul's Case

Paul's Case

Love could have saved Paul in Willa Cather's "Paul's Case," but love does not find Paul. It is withheld within the hearts of all the people that could have shown affection toward Paul. Although Paul's life ends in suicide, Paul's English teacher, Charley Edwards, or Paul's father could have prevented his premature death.

First, Paul's English teacher could have prevented Paul's suicide. After her confrontation with Paul at the chalkboard, she becomes Paul's greatest school adversary. She is Paul's leading detractor at his meeting with the principal, but not without regret. Cather writes, "His teachers left the building dissatisfied and unhappy; humiliated to have felt so vindictive toward a mere boy, to have uttered this feeling in cutting terms, and to have set each other on, as it were, in the gruesome game of intemperate reproach" (156). The regretful English teacher should have spoken to Paul alone, but the story tells of no such occasion. Even though she has blown an opportunity to understand Paul, she is given another chance. During her visit to Carnegie Hall, she might have spoken some encouraging words to Paul, but instead she responds with pride. Cather conveys, "She betrayed some embarrassment when she handed Paul the tickets, and a hauteur which subsequently made her feel very foolish" (157). Any conversational connection with Paul may have made the English teacher a respected companion or advisor, but her pride would not let her reach out to Paul. (Cather, 1998)

Next, Charley Edwards could have prevented Paul's suicide. Charley is the only boy that Paul visits in the entire story, but he offers neither friendship nor care to Paul. By exploiting Paul's fascination with acting, Charley uses Paul as a servant. In the middle of being used, Paul still enjoys the theater. Cather illustrates, "It ...