Paul's Case

Water

- Feels like drowning in monotony of Cordelia Street

Love of the Arts

- He uses art as an escape - Art is a "drug" because it allows his to escape his own conscience

Themes?

- Love of the Arts - Obsession with Money - Hiding Secrets - Covering up loss by hiding behind a cheerful facade

Obsession with Money

- believes money will solve all problems - he wants money but he doesn't want to work for it - causes disappointment when he realizes he isn't going to be rich

Why Paul commits suicide?

- the death of his mother - his longing to join the upper class - his alienation from society (him being gay) - impossible craving for money

What are the conflicts?

1. Paul is middle class, but longs to be apart of the wealthy upper class of New York City. 2. Paul loves arts, but he can't indulge in them because he is not part of the wealthy population that views them. Also, he lives in Pittsburgh, not New York City. 3. Paul is hiding a secret that he can never reveal.

Type of Narration

3rd Person Limited

Mood?

Depressed; Lonely

Social Background?

Middle Class; but longs to be rich

Foreshadowing

Paul buries the red carnations: foreshadowing his death

Irony

Paul longs to live a life of luxury, but kills himself with a train instead of the expensive gun

Author?

Willa Cather

Red Carnation

mirrors Paul's personality (different; taste for luxury) -death of the flowers = death of Paul