Irony and Symbolism in the Case of Paul by Willa Cather"The Case of Paul", by Willa Cather, is a story about a young boy who he doesn't feel like he's living a life worthy of him. After careful reading, it is evident that “The Case of Paul” is governed by irony and symbolism, which emerge in the story through the words of the narrator. The irony woven throughout the text transforms into an epiphonic moment, a major paradox of the story, which reveals to the reader the true nature of Paul. Paul believes that everyone around him is beneath him. He believes he is superior to everyone else in his school and neighborhood. He is even condescending towards his teachers and shows appalling contempt towards them, of which they are very aware. In one class, he used to sit 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 intent. Paul wanted everyone to think he was better than them. Not only did he try to dress like he was rich and important, but his very actions showed great contempt for everyone around him. Paul considers himself superior. He carries himself with a haughty face and air, apparent 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 attempts to accentuate his attire: "he wore an opal pin in his neatly hand-tied black oven and a red carnation in his buttonhole." The irony of Paul's delusion lies in how he is, in reality, perceived by the rest of the world. While he thinks he's dapper and winning in his ornate suit, the... middle of paper ...... ft who is actually honest. For Paul, the ultimate goal in 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 for him to be accepted as part of this class. Right now, since the best place to live is the upper class, and if one has to be dishonest to achieve high social status, Paul wonders how there can be anyone in the world who is honest when everyone should strive to be in the upper class. 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. & Crone R. Willa Cather the Woman and Her Works. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1970. Cather, Willa. “The Case of Paul”. The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction. Ed. RV Cassill and Richard Bausch. 6th ed. shorter. New York: Norton, 2000. 198-207.