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“Paul’s Case”

Explore new critical lenses like queer theory, frustrated romanticism, and feminist theory in "Paul's Case" by Willa Cather. Dive deep into word choices, motifs, symbols, and themes like gender non-conformity, societal rejection, and the impact of unfettered capitalism on individuals in the Gilded Age. Analyze Paul as a case study of delusions, learning disabilities, and societal pressures, shedding light on the complexities of human nature and societal norms.

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“Paul’s Case”

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  1. “Paul’s Case” Critical Approaches

  2. New Critical: word choice, motifs, symbols • Queer theory: • gender non-conformity and possible homosexuality indicated by Cather’s choice of words to describe Paul, his actions, etc. The CODED text! • Frustrated Romanticism: • also indicated by motifs and word choice (also see Social Critique)

  3. Psychological • Story originally subtitled “A Study in Temperament”; what is Paul a “case” study of? • Delusions of grandeur • Learning Disabilities • Other mental/emotional illnesses • Child abuse? see also: Queer theory

  4. Social Critique • unfettered capitalism (c.f. Maggie): haves and have-nots (“Marxists critique”) • society’s rejection of non-conformists; mechanized modern world esp. brutal • the impracticality (even danger) of Romantic ideals in the Modern world • also see queer theory (homophobia/heterosexism)

  5. Feminist Theory • Rejection of the “feminine” • (Tom Boy vs. “Jane Girl”) • Triviality of the female’s role in society

  6. Overview of Realism/Naturalism the Gilded Age • What has the American Dream metamorphosed into? • What has happened to the concept of democracy vis-à-vis capitalism by the late 1800s?

  7. Realism vs Naturalism • Maggie = Naturalism. Not just a “slice of life” but reality manipulated to show how human lives are at the mercy of environment and social circumstances. Details of life often grotesque, exaggerated. • “Paul’s Case” = Realism. Paul can be seen as having some options, making some bad choices. Details of life are realistic, not grotesque.

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