The Constructs of a Confused Behavior, Essay Example

Paul is described to be a highly distinct individual who has a differential understanding of his community. He feels strongly alienated from the society he is included in but does not show the obvious to people he wants to please or at least he feels the need to please like that of his father. The troubles he had in school defined his being as a student which practically gives a background on how he views his community, his life and the people around him. He was never serious in class, instead he wanted to do things his own way which usually got him to bigger disagreements. This marked his being and the way he is viewed by others specifically aiming to help him become a better person. One thing is obvious in the narration regarding his characteristic, he loves money and he detests the impoverished situation that he has practically been involved in within the whole context of his life. This could be noted how he wondered away from reality every now and again and take on the hope of imagining a better sense of life for him, somehow related to fantasies at one point; as the story notes: “… there it was, what he wanted–tangibly before him, like the fairy world of a Christmas pantomime–but mocking spirits stood guard at the doors, and, as the rain beat in his face, Paul wondered whether he were destined always to shiver in the black night outside, looking up at it” (3).  He hated how much being poor has identified his status in the community and all he wanted was to run away from such status quo; to run away, he uses imagination as an escape from the truth.

To do so, he uses art to feed his illusion of a beautiful life. Surrounding himself with painting, listening to music and remaining in theaters made it easier for him to get out of his own society and status and imagine that he is there with those who are more fortunate to experience what he believes is the good life. To further set himself apart from the norms of the society which he hates, he considers homosexuality to become a part of his identity. True, while he remains an outcast from the social norms, he becomes free from the criticisms that other people have upon him; or at least he can keep his ears closed from such remarks and successfully live a ‘free life’ even though it is only a sense of make believe. Running away from what he hates specifically gives him the chance to live a life that he likely wants to enjoy. Although he do not have the wealth he wants, he at least have the chance to imagine that he has the capacity to have the power on his life, to take over his dreams and practically make believe that he has already fulfilled them. Setting aside what the other people have to say about his being and his life, he is able to escape from the pains of being poor which is basically his desire in the first place. Almost finding someone who could understand him in the person of a stranger, it seemed that the new friend from Yale could actually bring him what he wanted, however, the connection ended coldly which specifically creates a distinct presentation on how a man like Paul who is not willing put some effort forward is likely to fair in life as an individual of dreams but not a person of good value.

Work Cited

Cather, Willa. “Paul’s Case”. Youth and the Bright Medusa. New York: Alfred  K. Knopf. 1920. Print. 199-234.