Introduction
It is hard to disagree that many teenagers and young people are desperate dreamers and believers. They are rarely satisfied with their parents’ destiny and life choices, which makes these young persons try to achieve more, seek other opportunities, and rebel against the will of their mothers or fathers. Generally, there are three main options for the future of such teenagers. Someone eventually achieves their dreams and lives a happy life. Some young people get disappointed with the world and their own abilities and surrender to the will of their parents. Finally, it also happens that internal traits and external circumstances are in such a strong conflict that a young person does not see any meaning in their future life. An example of such a situation is described in the story “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather.
Main body
A prominent literary critic Patrick Current-Garcia commented on the main idea of Cather’s literary work: “the story embodies the concept that human fate is determined by the interplay between inherited or inward traits and environment or outward circumstances.” Current-Garcia also added that “when the inward and outward forces are in conflict, the character is doomed to suffer tragic consequences.” In order to prove that the short story actually fits the outlined concept, it is essential to analyze the personal characteristics of Paul and the circumstances he lives in.
At first, it may seem that Paul is full of ambition, determined, talented, and misunderstood by his peers, teachers, and father. He has high hopes for the future, admires art, wants to be a part of the upper class, and believes that his life can be much better than the life that others promise him. However, Paul is not that ambitious and determined: he does nothing positive to find his happiness, and the way he chooses is full of lies, envy, arrogance, and adverse thoughts. His inward traits are mostly immoral, and it is possible to suggest that changing them and developing more positive characteristics would allow Paul to live a happy life.
As for the environment in which Paul lives, it is rather neutral than adverse. At the same time, it becomes evident from the words of Paul’s father and teachers that achieving success and happiness is possible, but hard work and determination are required. Since the outward circumstances in which Paul lives do not accept envy, arrogance, and lying, and Paul himself does not want to be hardworking and start his career with being a cash boy, there is a destructive conflict. Paul understands that he will not be able to live carelessly and become a part of the upper class without putting in much effort, and returning to his ordinary life, even temporarily, is unbearable for Paul. This conflict between inward traits and the external environment leads to Paul’s suicide.
Conclusion
To draw a conclusion, one may say that the “Paul’s Case” short story actually embodies the concept described by Patrick Current-Garcia. Sometimes, a person’s ambition and stamina, together with a friendly and favorable environment, make it possible to achieve great results and have a successful life. At the same time, if one is lazy and lacks ambition, or the outward circumstances are unfavorable, there may be a strong and destructive conflict, and a person suffers tragic consequences. In “Paul’s Case,” this concept applies to the main character’s situation. If he could change his outlook on life and develop more positive and moral inner qualities, the outward circumstances would help Paul achieve his dreams.