Paul's Case

Can you describe Pauls character throughout the story? how was he feeling in the end

please be specific

Asked by
Last updated by Jake K #508369
Answers 2
Add Yours

Paul is a disenfranchised bundle of adolescent angst. He is like Salinger's Holden Caulfield with even less friends. Paul is a static character until the conclusion of the story. He compensates for his lack of self-esteem by escaping into a very warped sense of identity. Paul feels that he is above everyone else, above the system, above his social class. Paul feels he is an aristocratic connoisseur of fine art and all things expensive trapped in the mundane middle class. After Paul makes his escape with the stolen money, Paul briefly lives the life he feels he was born for. Although Paul looks awkward and out of place, he feels he belongs; Paul finally loses himself in his fantasy. It isn't until his suicide that it occurs to Paul the realities of his world that he will miss out on,

"As he fell, the folly of his haste occurred to him with merciless clearness, the vastness of what he had left undone. There flashed through his brain, clearer than ever before, the blue of Adriatic water, the yellow of Algerian sands."

It is, however, too late for Paul to reconsider his hasty jump in front of the train.

Paul is narcissistic to the very end. Every stepping stone in his life, turns into a grave stone. Paul never develops any core integrity. He abandons the faith of his family and community in part because he is very ungrateful. He cannot stand authority figures on his life, because he refuses to learn o r to be instructive. Pauls lifestyle of lies and avarice hunt him down internally as a consequence of his never learning any critical thinking skills or coping mechanisms. Paul is a cowardice one trick pony, who's only routine is to cover up his tracks ( of failure) and try to escape. Pauls daydreams turn into a nightmare, when he could no longer sustain his short lived oasis into the lifestyle's of the rich and famous while a run away in New York. Paul misses the essence of life, develops no healthy bonds with even his own family that are strong enough to provide appreciation, inspiration, or hope.

R.I.P. Paul.