Paul's Case Structuralism
Understanding “Paul’s Case” through Structuralism
Willa Cather presents “Paul’s Case” using vivid symbolism and language to depict Paul, his personality, his environment, as well as his life style. Willa Cather does not directly state Paul’s feelings, but through the use of language and symbols we can imply many things about Paul, and the type of person he is. Using structuralism and semiotics to analyze Paul’s case provides the opportunity to take certain concepts in the story and understand the true meaning that lies behind them. In “Paul’s Case” language and symbolism will provide an effective understanding of Paul’s withdrawn and misunderstood behavior, as well as how his “reality” of life affects him externally and internally, the meaning …show more content…
To say that “George was a good friend” leaves no impression; for impact, the writer shows what friendship meant to George.” (Bernstein) At the time that Paul decides to flee to New York, Willa Cather changes the narration to be from Paul’s perspective. “Here and there on the corners were stands, with whole flower gardens blooming under glass cases, against the sides of which the snow flakes stuck and melted; violets, roses, carnations, lilies of the valley-somewhat vastly more lovely and alluring that they blossomed unnaturally in the snow.” (Cather 499) The use of language has shifted into positive descriptions of the atmosphere. Paul is not, as it seemed in the beginning, an abnormal person. He is a person with dreams and ambitions just like everyone else. The fact that he went to such extreme measures to fulfill his dreams of visiting New York shows his determination. He did not ever want to return to Cordelia Street. For him, home was "worse than jail", and the thought of it was "sickeningly vivid". This shows just how unhappy he was at home. The change in narration occurs to provide the reader with a prominent perception of Paul’s life and through his explanation of the environment we can imply that he is finally content with his life at this point in time. “His golden days went by without a shadow, and he made each day as perfect as he could.” (Cather
Willa Cather presents “Paul’s Case” using vivid symbolism and language to depict Paul, his personality, his environment, as well as his life style. Willa Cather does not directly state Paul’s feelings, but through the use of language and symbols we can imply many things about Paul, and the type of person he is. Using structuralism and semiotics to analyze Paul’s case provides the opportunity to take certain concepts in the story and understand the true meaning that lies behind them. In “Paul’s Case” language and symbolism will provide an effective understanding of Paul’s withdrawn and misunderstood behavior, as well as how his “reality” of life affects him externally and internally, the meaning …show more content…
To say that “George was a good friend” leaves no impression; for impact, the writer shows what friendship meant to George.” (Bernstein) At the time that Paul decides to flee to New York, Willa Cather changes the narration to be from Paul’s perspective. “Here and there on the corners were stands, with whole flower gardens blooming under glass cases, against the sides of which the snow flakes stuck and melted; violets, roses, carnations, lilies of the valley-somewhat vastly more lovely and alluring that they blossomed unnaturally in the snow.” (Cather 499) The use of language has shifted into positive descriptions of the atmosphere. Paul is not, as it seemed in the beginning, an abnormal person. He is a person with dreams and ambitions just like everyone else. The fact that he went to such extreme measures to fulfill his dreams of visiting New York shows his determination. He did not ever want to return to Cordelia Street. For him, home was "worse than jail", and the thought of it was "sickeningly vivid". This shows just how unhappy he was at home. The change in narration occurs to provide the reader with a prominent perception of Paul’s life and through his explanation of the environment we can imply that he is finally content with his life at this point in time. “His golden days went by without a shadow, and he made each day as perfect as he could.” (Cather