Paul's Case Character and Conflict

In Paul’s Case, Willa Carther shows the hardships of being a gay man in the 1900’s. Reading through, you might just see this as a story about a boy who wants more for his life than the monotony of Cordelia Street. Closer attention to detail can give you a better perspective at what he’s really going through. It’s a really interesting story about the struggles one can face for not having the sexuality that is acceptable in society.

Paul, the protagonist in this story, grew up on Cordelia street where everyone had a specific role they were to play in society. Individuality wasn’t something that was encouraged where he lived. Paul spent all of his youth trying to break the mold that he was expected to fill. He was never happy with his life, and having to hide is sexuality to avoid harsh judgment only made things worse for him. Theater became his escape. He spent his free time ushering or visiting the theaters and got a rush from each performance.

Paul was very clear about his feelings towards his home town throughout the story. At the beginning of the story, he uses his house as a representation of his state of mind. He fears going upstairs where he has to face the questions of his father and instead sleeps in the basement. This symbolizes his dark thoughts and negative feelings towards his home. The basement represents the part of the brain associated with basic desires like sexuality. It also acts to avoid pain or displeasure. Maybe his sleeping in the basement is supposed to signify his genuine fear of the judgment he receives from his father and his desire for a safe haven where he can truly be who he wants to be. The upstairs of the house is something Paul dreads. The upper part of the brain is called the superego which is the cultural rules and parental guidance. This represents society, the antagonist. If it weren’t for the cultural rules given to society, Paul could openly be gay. He wouldn’t hate the school and the church and his own father so much. Instead, he lives with a wall of defense around him, constantly trying to hide his true self from everyone he knows.

Though Paul’s being gay was never blatantly stated, close attention to detail