Addiction In Paul's Case By Willa Cather

Growing up, kids are taught to dream to be whatever they want. They are taught to reach for the stars and let nothing get in their way of their dream. But what many people want isn’t always what they need. In the short story, “Paul’s Case” written by Willa Cather, this theme is displayed in Paul’s dreams of riches that aren’t exactly what he needs in life. Through quotes and symbols, Cather gives an insight into Paul’s world and how he dreams of the artwork in Carnegie Hall, the houses on Cordelia Street, and the lavish lifestyle of New York City. All things he wanted, but not necessarily what he needed in life. When a person wants something, it is often due to the deepest desires and human habits of addiction. Paul uses art as a type of addiction to escape the world he lives in. When Paul entered Carnegie Hall as an usher he would go in extra early to view the art. Every time he would go into work, he would go in the gallery and look at the art with no one else around. “After a while he sat down before a blue Rico

Paul planned his trip to New York hundreds of times before being able to actually go. He wanted to make sure each moment was filled with riches and luxurious items. “He finally felt now that his surroundings explained him…. He had only to glance down at his attire to reassure himself that here it would be impossible for anyone to humiliate him” (267). He was finally somewhere where he thought he belonged. However, this lavish lifestyle didn’t last long as on the eighth day of his adventure, he gets news of his father coming to New York to get Paul. As soon as new of Paul’s father going to New York surfaces, the reality of this lifestyle comes into focus. Living like this isn’t something Paul needs, but he rather thinks he needs. His desire has overcome his life by turning his wants into false