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
