"Paul's Case": Willa Cathers

Part I of Essay
The story "Paul's Case" describes Willa Cathers belief that in the early 1900's, economically disadvantaged people were not subject to such a beautiful atmosphere unlike that of the bourgeoisie. Cathers tells a story of a young boy who desperately wants to be a part of thi ....

Part II of Essay
.... with the grimy zinc tub..." His school was described with having "bare floors and naked walls". Paul's uplifting arena was either glaring up at the actors, divas, or performers at the Schenley Hotel or at the works of art at Carnegie Hall. Even though he had spent numerous days fantasizing at masterpieces and stage plays, Paul "had no desire to become an actor, any more thatn he had to become a musician. He felt no necessity to do any of these things; what he wanted was to see, to be in the atmosphere, float on the wave of it, to be ca ....