In Willa Cather’s “Paul’s Case,” the author uses symbolism and imagery to stress the disillusionment of teenagers and how it can eventually lead to death. Symbolism Symbolism is relating symbolic meaning or significance to events, relationships, or objects (put source hear). In Willa Cather’s essay, the teenage disillusionment of Paul can show the symbolic relationship between the red carnation that adorns Paul’s suit, and Paul’s dream for beauty, happiness, and …showed first 75 words of 447 total…

…showed last 75 words of 447 total…who wants money and power and a sense of belonging. He sells his soul to the devil to live for just a few years in his dream. Paul wants to be beautiful, and in his mind money is beauty. Like Faust, Paul wants money and a sense of belonging. He “sells his soul to the devil” when he steals the money from his employers. In return he gets “a few years” to live his dream.