Two Images Two Worlds

Two Images Two Worlds Numerous times over the course of one’s life, problems arise. The instinctive human reaction to any predicament is to escape. The idea is if one runs from a problem, the problem can do no harm. Throughout Willa Cather’s “Paul’s Case,” Paul finds his everyday life monotonous and unbearable. Rather than attempt change, Paul escapes his life in any way possible. Paul creates two different worlds for himself, one that is real and one that he uses as an escape from that which is real. In Willa Cather’s “Paul’s Case,” Cather frequently uses the images of light and dark to illustrate Paul’s dual realities.
Light and dark are two powerful images used to convey the two realities of Paul’s life. Light is used to describe Paul’s escape from reality, and darkness is used to convey the life that holds him prisoner. Paul has an intense passion for music and art, although, he desires to be neither a musician nor an artist. He is passionate because he d...