Irony and symbolism in Paul's case by Willa Cather"Paul's case", by Willa Cather, is a story about a young boy who doesn't feel like living a life worthy of him him. Upon careful reading, it is evident that "The Case of Paul" is governed by irony and symbolism, which shine through the story through the words of the narrator. The irony woven into the text develops into an epiphonic moment, a main paradox of the story, which reveals Paul's true nature to the reader. Paul believes that everyone around him is inferior to him. He believes he is superior to everyone else in his school and neighborhood. He is even condescending towards his teachers and shows an appalling contempt towards them, of which they are well aware. In one classroom he habitually sat with his hand shielding his eyes; in another he always looked out the window during the recitation; in another he commented on the conference, with humorous intentions. Paul wanted everyone to think he was better than them. Not only did he try to dress as if he were rich and important, but his own actions showed great contempt for everyone around him. Paul considers himself superior. He carries himself with a haughty look and air, evident in the description “Paul entered the faculty room suave and smiling.” His attempts to present himself as elegant are evident in the ornaments with which he tries to accentuate his attire: "he wore an opal brooch in his neatly knotted black fourpence, and a red carnation in his buttonhole." The irony in Paul's self-delusion is how he is, in reality, viewed by the rest of the world. Even though he thinks he is elegant and eye-catching in his ornate dress, t... middle of paper... who is actually honest. For Paul, the ultimate goal of life is to be part of the upper class. Paul had to try very hard, and be very dishonest, to convey a certain image in order to be accepted as part of that class. At this time, since the best place to be is the upper class, and if one must be dishonest to achieve high social status, Paul wonders how there can be anyone in the world who is honest because everyone should strive to be part of the upper class. As far as Paul was concerned, his deceptive measures were an acceptable means to achieve his goal. Works Cited and Consulted Brown M. and Crone R. Willa Cather the Woman and Her Works. New York: Sons of Charles Scribner. 1970.Cather, Willa. "The Case of Paul." The Norton anthology of short fiction. Eds. RV Cassill and Richard Bausch. Shorter 6th ed. New York: Norton, 2000. 198-207.