Paul's Case. Richard Corey. Dunbar Test
To make ashamed and ill at ease; Embarrassed;
Abashed
To approach and speak to in a bold manner
Accost
What is the theme?
African-Americans can not be completely free to be themselves
Who is the speaker of the poem we wear mask?
All African-Americans
Where does Paul get his money?
Banknotes from his fathers work, Denny and Carson's deposit
Why must they wear a mask? How does Dunbar feel abt it.
Can't afford to show the feelings He feels it is essential
What does Corey do one night?
Commit suicide
obvious; attracting attention
Conspicuous
Feeling guilty; deep sorrow or remorse from having done wrong
Contrite
To lead astray morally into evil ways; to corrupt
Debauch
What grievances do Paul's teachers have against him?
Disorder and impertinence, DEFIANT manner, he hit his teacher
What has always tormented Paul?
Fear
How does Paul feel about his home and Cordelia street?
Feels like he's drowning. It is like very other house, common, boring
Why does Paul detest school?
Finds it repulsive
Joking when one should show respect
Flippantly
Craftiness
Guile
Scornful pride; snobbery
Hauteur
What does Cather mean when she writes, "Paul dropped back into the immense design of things "?
He died
While at dinner during his first night in NYC, what evidence is there taht Paul is moving farther and farther from reality?
He doubted the reality of his past, didn't want to contribute , he wanted to be an onlooker, spectator (voyeur)
Contrast Paul's actions at work with his actions at school.
He enjoys work and loves the music Acts out at school bc he doesn't feel he belongs.
Why do u think Paul behaves this way at work?
He feels he fits in, it's an opportunity to escape school life
In what ways does Richard Cory differ from the other towns people?
He had a lot of money, was admired, glittered when he walked, slim
Why is Paul attracted to NYC?
He liked the wealth of it, it was exciting not boring, not home
Why does Paul lie so often?
He wanted to be noticed and admired Restored his self respect
Why might Richard Cory have been miserable?
He was envied and admired, which made him lonely. Just because he had material items, doesn't mean he had the happiness he needed
why was Richard Cory envied?
He was slim and rich
Why does Dunbar mention Douglas
He wishes Douglas was alive to guide them. He's dead now so they have no one
Majestically
Imperially
Having no connection with a given matter; irrelevant; lack of respect
Impertinence
To be needy
Indigent
Boldly disrespectful in speech or behavior
Insolence
Showing A lack of self-control; severe/violent
Intemperate
Appear within a single line
Internal rhyme
What is Paul's attraction to the Schenley?
It's not home. He wants to leave responsibility behind
What is particularly odd about Paul's escape from reality?
It's not real life and his feelings will catch up to him.
The poem ends with an image of lonely darkness. How does Dunbar leave the reader feeling?
Leaves them hopeless, things are only getting worse
what evidence is there that Paul had a nervous affliction?
Lips were twitching in his sleep, plays w buttons, forced smile
Intense dislike or hatred
Loathing
To accuse of and blame for a fault
Reproach
Standing out from the rest
Salient
Link two similar (but not exact) vowel sounds, as in prove and love
Slant rhyme
Dirty and untidy
Slatternly
African-Americans wear the mask to hide their feelings about:
Slavery, segregation, racial violence
Why do the African Americans feel they need to hide their faces with masks?
So whites don't know their true feelings
Saturated with liquid, soaked through
Sodden
Stiff; rigid
Stark
Violent storm
Tempest
Only slightly warm; lukewarm
Tepid
What does "beneath our feet and long the mile"?
They have a Long life ahead of them
Why does Paul admire art and music so much?
They make him feel alive
What job does Paul work after school?
Usher @ Carnegie hall
Absolute truth
Veritable
Attractively, lively and animated
Vivacious
What is the significance of the Washington and Calvin pictures above his bed at home on Cordelia street?
Washington was a founding father Calvin was creator of Calvinism (puritans) To Nobel men
Themes of the story Paul's case?
Escapism from reality (loves job, it helps him to escape) You can't escape and avoid reality all the time Alienation from society Loses himself in his addictive nature of the music and art
Overall message of poem?
Even though slavery was abolished, things did not get better African-Americans can not live/speak freely as men and women
What does Dunbar suggest the masks show?
Happiness, however they are not really happy
Due to his misbehavior at school, what 3 things happen to paul?
Has to quit job, taken out of school, can't see charley
What do Paul's red carnations symbolize?
His attitude He feels the need to be an ass
What information does Paul's art teacher reveal about him?
His mom died only a few months after he was born Paul's has lots of anxiety
"Scrambled from wall to floor" Paul is compared to a-
Spider
Climax of story
Steals the money and puts NYC plans into action
Lines 6 to 7, "why should the world be overwise, in counting all our tears and sighs?" what is Dunbar's point?
Stop pretending people care No one cares about what you think or don't care what other ppl think Why should people pretend to care about others feelings
How is Paul described physically?
Tall for his age, very thin, high cramped shoulders, narrow chest, flossy glossy eyes (maybe on drugs??)
Symbolism of train?
Reality
Countless
Myriad
Describe Paul's neighborhood on Sunday afternoons?
Neighbors sit on porches and talk to each other, children play in streets
What does the title of the story mean?
Nervous, social disorders He has a complex case of emotional and mental disorders
To where does Paul escape?
New york
What is the tone of we wear a mask?
Outrage, hopelessness, bitterness
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile What is this an example of:
Paradox
What exposition is the reader give in in the story's opening?
Paul has been expelled from Pittsburgh high school. Mom died in Colorado bc of tuberculosis??
Lines 6-8 state, "not ended then, the passionate ebb and flow. The awful tide that battled to and fro. " What does this point out?
Points out the struggle for equal rights was not over, they were worse in the south
Tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination toward a specific thing
Proclivities
What is the "only thing that could be called living at all" for Paul? How is this ironic?
The excitement of the music. Ironic because it's not real but for Paul it is
What is dunbars thoughts on the journey of racism?
The journey of racism in the south is a long one
What is Dunbar suggesting in this poem?
Whites only see Black people when they lie
Author of Paul's case?
Willa cather
How is Paul dressed in the story's opening? How do his teacher respond to his dress?
Worn overcoat w velvet tan collar, opal pin, red carnation in buttonhole, hat Dressed like a dandy Think he looks weird/ridiculous
What is symbolic about the color of the wallpaper in Paul's room?
Yellow symbolizes corruption or drabness. His life is boring and dull
Do you think the town was surprised by his action?
Yes, they thought he was perfect and had everything, they all wanted to be him
A long lasting and bitter hate; deep spite
Rancor
What does "shivering bank" mean? What does symbol of boat mean?
All African-Americans are in the same boat together, they go through the same things together. Even after the Civil War African-Americans faced adversity
What does the violet water symbolize?
Baptism motif The violet water acts as a cleansing ritual, helps to cleanse/mask grins/odors of working class life. Wants to erase reality of background/real life
Identify various motifs in the story.
Baptism- Violet waters washing away reality Color - Red carnation symbolize his rebellious attitude (Burning the carnation shows that he's giving up) Purple - royalty Yellow - ugliness, drabness, corruption season - kills himself in winter
What does "born to purple mean"?
Born wealthy He wants to be Royal, wealthy, important
