Paul's Case

Willa Cather

Jun 2022 · DigiCat

About this ebook

Paul is a schoolboy, described as tall and thin with strange eyes. He is facing the headmaster and several of his teachers, with whom he does not have a good relationship. All of them, in one way or another, find him difficult and disturbing to teach.

About the author

Willa Sibert Cather (December 7, 1873 – April 24, 1947) was an eminent American writer notable for her portrayals of the landscape and the pioneering spirit of the American Midwest. Cather's work celebrated the simplicity of rural life and was informed by her Nebraska upbringing. Cather began her writing career as a journalist before gravitating towards fiction. Her early work often grappled with themes of ambition and longing, exemplified by the short story 'Paul's Case,' which was first published in 1905. The story, part of her collection 'The Troll Garden,' explores the restless nature of a young man dissatisfied with his mundane existence and yearning for aesthetic and sensory pleasures beyond his reach. Cather's prose is lauded for its clarity and descriptive power, capturing the psychological intensity of her characters. Her literary style is direct yet evocative, often reflecting a deep immersion in the landscapes and personalities of the American frontier. In addition to 'Paul's Case,' Cather's celebrated novels, such as 'O Pioneers!' (1913), 'My Ántonia' (1918), and 'Death Comes for the Archbishop' (1927), contributed significantly to the canon of American literature. The latter novel epitomizes her narrative technique of intertwining individual stories with the broader tapestry of history and place. Cather's contributions to literature earned her a Pulitzer Prize in 1923 for 'One of Ours'. Her work remains an essential part of the American literary tradition, offering insight into the complexities of both the landscape and the human spirit.