Social Mobility In Paul's Case By Willa Cather

Willa Cather’s “Paul’s Case” is an examination into the nature of upward social mobility. In regard to this subject matter, her assertion consists of the concept that the advancement from one’s social class is not possible. Any aspirations to achieve it are, thus, considered to be futile. Such a claim can be seen throughout the short story in the protagonist’s relationship with his own social class status. The main character, Paul, is strongly attracted to the aesthetic elements of the wealthy lifestyle and holds contempt for everything else that does not reach the standard. This includes the very life circumstances he was born into. To mitigate the internal conflict caused by his living conditions not aligning with his ideals, Paul completely refuses to accept the truth of his reality. He instead manages to …show more content…
The stronger the reminder of his reality that Paul is confronted with, the more he resists it. In the beginning, he endures the blandness of his living condition by being able to escape to the symphonies and theatres. This establishes a coexistence between his delusions and reality. Yet, when those routes of escape are taken away, Paul reacts back by delving himself more into his illusions by running away to New York. The final reminder of reality came when his father is searching for him in the city. Here, Paul is confronted with the complete awareness that he can never escape reality no matter how much he tries. He then commits suicide as a permanent escape from the monotony of his lifestyle. It is with Paul’s relationship with his social class status that Willa Cather makes an assertion on the topic of upward social mobility. She argues that it is a futile struggle to try to raise oneself up from the social class one is born into. Such a declaration is demonstrated in Paul’s constant resistance to his reality that eventually leads to his