Essay on Paul’s Case A Study in Temperament by Willa Cather

A Symbolic Perception Imagine being entrapped in a life that you did not feel you belonged in. That is the story of Paul in â€Å"Paul’s Case,† written by Willa Cather. He lived in a suburban home where everyone seemed the same and there was a feeling of despair. Paul, who was a young man, felt that his father, teachers and classmates misunderstood him and therefore were unworthy of his company. In the story there are many symbolic elements. Flowers, for instance, symbolize Paul’s personality and life. The parallel between the boy and the flowers is made by the author many times throughout the short story. In the beginning of the story Paul has a meeting with the teachers of his school because he was misbehaving. For the meeting†¦show more content†¦He became lost in the music, plays, and art. While Paul was at home, he would dream about the life he believed himself to be living as â€Å"a morbid desire for cool things and soft lights and fresh flowers† (55). To Paul, people who enjoyed having the presence of flowers seemed to be of a higher class above the rest. That is why he always wore a flower. He describes his neighbourhood, the people he despises to be, â€Å"prosy men who never wore frock coats, or violets in their buttonholes (pg. 60).† He would dream about, â€Å"the flowers he sent (pg. 60),† to members of the stock company who were his â€Å"acquaintances.† Paul wants to be as the flowers, living to all of their extent, saturating in the beauty of life. While Paul was in New York City one of the first things he did was â€Å"[ring] for the bell boy [to send] him down flowers† (62). He was living out his dreams. He was pleased with his surroundings and his style of living during his days in New York and expressed his â€Å"dearest pleasure [was] . . . his enjoyment of his flowers† (66), and goes on to say that he couldn’t remember a time of such bliss. He loved all forms of creative expression and was intrigued by, â€Å"whole flower gardens blooming behind glass windows, against which the snowflakes stuck and melted; violets, roses, carnations, lilies of the valley-somehow vastly more lovely and alluring that they blossomed thus unnaturally in the snow.† (64) The flowers induceShow MoreRelated Young Goodman Brown VS. Paul Essay1045 Words   |  5 Pages Young Goodman Brown vs. Paul nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;After studying the short stories of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† and Willa Cather’s â€Å"Paul’s Case†, I began to see many similarities within the two stories. Both of the main characters in each story have characteristics that could be looked at as being alike, but after analyzing each character I started to find that although alike in some aspects, these two characters are very different from one another. At first I noticedRead MoreAnalysis Of Paul s Case 907 Words   |  4 Pagesthe human personality. The case of what constitutes this enigma is one of the many controversies that are analyzed and broken apart in Vincent Parrillo’s chapter, â€Å"Causes of Prejudice.† In particular, human temperament is expounded in Parrillo’s passage, and further observed and experimented with in Willa Cather’s short story â€Å"Paul’s Case.† Parrillo correlates one’s childhood upbringing and surroundings to the maturation of an authoritarian personality, akin to Paul’s rough development that contributesRead MoreAnalysis Of Willa Cather s Paul s Case1009 Words   |  5 Pages In Willa Cather’s â€Å"Paul’s Case: A Study in Temperament†, a short story set in Pittsburgh and New York, Cather introduces us to the young Paul. Self-centered, delusional, and some may even argue, narcissistic, Paul is fascinated and encapsulated by the fine arts around him. Whether it be in the theater where he ushers, the art gallery at Carnegie Hall, or the hotel he runs away to in New York, Paul is always finding a way to escape what he considers a hopeless and mundane reality back home, throughRead More Willa Cathers Paul‟s Case: A Study in Temperament Essay1867 Words   |  8 PagesWilla Cather‟s â€Å"Paul‟s Case: A Study in Temperament† (1905) invites the reader to wonder, â€Å"What really is Paul‟s c ase?† Cather provides us with ample clues and descriptions of Paul‟s temperament with remarkable detail and insight into the human psyche considering that she had no formal background in psychology and that she was writing when Sigmund Freud was just beginning to publish his theories and was therefore writing by intuitive observation rather than by using a scientific approach. Because

Plato s Symposium The Nature Of Love - 1320 Words

Plato’s Symposium explores the nature of love through several different telling’s of what love is by philosophers of the time. The speeches of Socrates, Alcibiades, and Aristophanes are of main focus, as their similarities and differences help the reader to decide the truth of the nature of love. Throughout the Symposium, the accounts of love vary from speaker to speaker. The speech given by Socrates differentiates from the viewpoints of Alcibiades and Aristophanes, as well as all of the other speeches given. While Alcibiades, Aristophanes, and the other speakers in the Symposium focus on love of the individual, Socrates speech focuses on the forms, specifically the form of beauty. Socrates’ speech, or rather the retelling of the priestess Diotima’s speech, tells of a love much different from that of the other speakers. His belief is, as taught by Diotima, that love is neither good, nor bad, wise, nor ignorant, immortal, nor mortal, beautiful, nor ugly. Love itself is in-between, as one would not desire unfavorable qualities, but also as Diotima argues, one would not desire what one already has. Therefore, love cannot be beautiful, as it would no longer desire beauty if that were the case. Diotima further illustrates this point by explaining to Socrates: [N]one of the gods loves wisdom or wants to become wise – for they are wise – and no one else who is wise already loves wisdom; on the other hand, no one who is ignorant will love wisdom either or want to become wise. ForShow MoreRelatedLove and Beauty1208 Words   |  5 PagesLove is neither wise nor beautiful, but the desire or pursuit of wisdom and beauty. Love is expressed via propagation and reproduction, as in the exchange and development of ideas. Socrates in the Symposium best expresses this belief. Socrates view of Love and Beauty was that one is the pursuit of the other, and that other is the greatest of all knowledge. Love is a driving force, a compulsion forward to a goal. Much as a moth is drawn to light, for its heat, people are lured to Beauty by LoveRead MoreA Comparison Of Thomas Mores Utopia, And The Symposium By Plato1607 Words   |  7 PagesUtopia by Thomas More, and The Symposium by Plato are similar in that they both challenge pre-existing no tions in society. The two stories prompt readers to reconsider certain aspects of life which one might have found to be quite one-sided. Thomas More introduces us to an island called Utopia which serves as a model of perfection in each facet of everyday life. In The Symposium, Plato and his friends contribute distinctive interpretations on the origin and meaning of love. Both author’s purpose in theirRead More Homoerotic Unions Make Up for Unsatisfying Marriages Essay1295 Words   |  6 PagesBased on textual evidence provided in Plato?s Symposium and Sappho?s lyric poetry, homoerotic relationships seem to be important and often essential unions that do not fit into the social construct of Hellenic marriages.Ê ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ?We human beings will never attain happiness unless we find perfect love (Plato 193c,? says Plato?s version of comic playwright Aristophanes.Ê However, it is not necessarily a joke.Ê For many people, perfect love is not to be found in Hellenic marriageRead MoreComparing The Theaetetus And The Nature Of Love1602 Words   |  7 PagesThere are many connections between the nature of knowledge in the Theaetetus and the nature of love in the Symposium. The concept of philosophy brings together the nature of knowledge and love. Notably, Diotima calls Love a lover of wisdom which in Greek means literally a philosopher (Benjamin Jowett, trans. Plato, Symposium and Phaedrus 27). Philia means, love and sophia means wisdom. The main topic of Plato’s Symposium is the question â€Å"what is love†. It is a record of six speeches by differentRead MoreDesire In The Symposium1508 Words   |  7 PagesIn Plato’s The Symposium, a group of well-versed men consider philosophical arguments, specifically regarding the role desire plays in a virtuous life. As academics and philosophers who hold high rank in the social system of ancient Greece, these men are praised for their wisdom and eloquence. One such philosopher, Pausanias, gives a speech early in the text that addresses desire as a multifaceted concept, setting the tone for the novel. The Bhagavad-Gita, an ancient Indian text that is much reveredRead MoreComparison And Contrast Of The Understanding Of Love1576 Words   |  7 PagesCONTRAST OF THE UNDERSTANDING OF LOVE Introduction The definition of love varies from person to person. However, it generally means the longing or desire that we have towards something or someone. Love is something that is intangible; you cannot touch it though you can feel it deep in your heart. Biblically, love is an important virtue and thus we get to understand that as human beings we cannot survive without the virtue of love. As I Previously said, the understanding of love varies from one individualRead MoreThe Great Philosopher728 Words   |  3 Pages2017 The Great Philosopher Plato Plato is known as one of ancient Greece’s greatest philosophers. Plato was born in Athens, Greece during 428 BCE. Some people believe that Plato s real name is Aristocles, if in fact this is true he would have received this name from his grandfather. Historians believed that Plato had two full brother, one sister, and one half brother. They are unsure if Plato was the eldest. They believe that he was since he inherited his grandfather s name, and tradition was thatRead More Context and Contradictions in Platos Phaedrus and Platos Symposium1970 Words   |  8 Pagesin Platos Phaedrus and Platos Symposium It is well known that Plato, a devoted student of Socrates, chronicled many of Socrates speeches and conversations. Every so often one can find instances where Socrates and other players in these conversations seem to contradict themselves, or at least muddle their arguments. One such occurrence of this is in Platos Symposium and Platos Phaedrus. Both texts speak of love in its physical sense, both texts describe love and its effects, and both discussRead MoreSummary Of The Symposium 1373 Words   |  6 PagesLost Objectivity in the Symposium The Symposium was written by Plato to illustrate a discussion between a group of friends. Additionally, the story presents numerous arguments that focus on the god Love and its merits. To pass time while they drink, Eryximachus suggests that each of the guests orate a eulogy of love. The guests proceed to participate in oration; however, their analysis of love may not be as objective as it seems. Rather than focus on an impartial view of the god, many of them haveRead MoreAristotle s Theory Of Virtue1493 Words   |  6 Pagescontrasts from its nature. For instance, the example of the fire; it is impossible to teach the fire to burn downwards, since its natural form is to constantly burn upwards. Put simply, whatever acts by its nature cannot be taught otherwise. Furthermore, Aristotle characterizes intellectual virtue as something that is acquired through experience and teaching, such as the skill of arithmetic. You’re not born into this world understand math without inst ruction and practice. â€Å"Neither by nature, then, nor

Biblical Response Free Essays

Debt, even if it is said to be a tool that can help one to prosper in life, I do not support that argument because debt can make one to live uncomfortable life full of stress. Debts enslave people, living their life to pay loans of money, which may otherwise have been spent extravagantly. Fro instance, borrowing money is easy such that people may be tempted to borrow without proper plan of use. We will write a custom essay sample on Biblical Response or any similar topic only for you Order Now This way, debts can make a person who was initially leading a prosperous life to loose his or her wealth. Influence of banks is one major factor that makes people to have debts since they have known on better ways of attracting customers to advance loans. Having debts beats the whole idea of living a disciplined life unless under unavoidable circumstances such as being unable to cater for your medical bills or education. When you tend to live with a lot of debts, it means you are trying to live a lifestyle that you can not afford. One should try to understand him or herself and put more efforts in order to improve ones life rather than being enslaved with debts. On the use of credit card, I do not agree whether one can manage credit card wisely and avoid having debts since credit cards are much tempting. It is true that people with credit cards tend to spent more than those who use their cash. This would obviously put an individual into unwarranted debts. Paying things with cash can enable one to even negotiate or bargain for reduction of the purchasing price where as is much impossible to bargain while using plastic money. In other words, it is easier to control money in from of cash than credit cards. Using credit card at the end makes one to spend more since one does not feel or realize the money being spent. Therefore, for one to avoid having debts there is need for one to use cash or debit cards whereby you have control of money spend. References Daveramsey. (2010). The Truth About Credit Card Debt. Retrieved July 27, 2010, from http://www. daveramsey. com/article/the-truth-about-credit-card-debt/ Daveramsey. (2010). The Truth About Debt. Retrieved July 27, 2010, from http://www. daveramsey. How to cite Biblical Response, Papers

Rebel Without a Cause free essay sample

Jim transformation can be seen in costuming as his unique process of individuality in finding his identity, at the start of the movie his clothing was a suit jacket with a collared top and tailored pants. By the time James was about to approach the ‘cool kids’ his outfit changes dramatically. He wears jeans, a red jacket and a t-shirt. This technique explores the idea of how James came of age by changing his identity. At first his clothes symbolizes constraint and conservative were as his new clothes are interpreted as more contemporary. The red jacket represents danger, as his new identity causes him to act out of risky decisions. The clothing of the time was very formal, and by dressing casually and using an ‘I make my own rules’ approach his process of coming of age as an individual is new. Another technique used in the movie to portray his identity can be seen in the car race scene. We will write a custom essay sample on Rebel Without a Cause or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Before the race starts there is a high camera angle with shows a clear track, this tells the audience that they have a clear road ahead of them to start a new identity, and as soon as the race starts, the camera shot is of the back of the cars, this is telling the audience that they are leaving their old identities behind them. This distinct coming of age experience of trying to fit in by risk taking, gives him the ability to find his own identity. Jim coming of age process can be seen when he risk takes by going into a knife fight with the ‘cool kids’. The camera angle changes to low, looking up at James, every time he tries to stab buzz. This indicates his superiority towards buzz and shows the independence he is able to obtain as he stands up for himself. During the fight camera angles of close up of Jim’s face shows the determination to win. Winning the fight represents the changes he wants to occur which is being a better person, and finding the right thing to do. The process of coming of age is individual to everyone, In Jim’s case this is true as he is stand up to his parents, as Jim is trying to find a father figure, but his overbearing mother always takes control of his father. Jim wants to see his father stand up for himself. Rebel without a cause exemplifies the incompetence of Jim’s parents to act as responsible adults, and their unwillingness to help their child become an adult. In the police station at the beginning of the movie. Jim’s parents argue he sees them through a door hold. The camera angle changes so it looks like you the audience is looking though it with a black circle around the boarders to make it look so, ssisted with Jim’s and the audience not hearing anything, makes Jim’s confused and anger about his parents cooperation and love towards him which makes him act out in risk taking behaviour. This coming of age process makes Jim’s realise he has to stand up to him parents if he is ever going to be an individual. This process is finally accomplished when Jim’s finally stand up to his parents, he stands higher than them when he talks to them this shows his power and dominance in achieving his coming of age experience of finding an identity.