Paul’s Case: A Study in Temperament Written by Willa Sibert Cather

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not only in their derivatives, but also in their natural names.

Red, Not Actually the Blood of Angry Men

Red, a color commonly associated with communism and Marxism, is the single most mentioned color, with a whole ten times. Red is not only a significant color in Marxism because of its attachment to the theory in symbolism, but also because bright colors are a symbol of the bourgeois as they would fade quickly in fields or stained in factories that the proletariat are so accustomed to. Paul’s desire to be apart of the bourgeois shows even when he’s flinging himself in front of a train; not only does he lay down red flowers, but he also dreams of vibrant colors and vacations spots until he is enveloped into the dark, working conditions he was borne to.

Train

Queer/feminist theory the train is likely a passenger where his father is on board coming to collect him as the epitome of masculinity, the laying of the final red carnations is the giving into his femininity and recognition that it is his queerness that led him where he is; the falling back into the grand scheme of things is so that everyone he knew can pretend that he wasn’t queer as they mourn him as is with done with many trans people.

Marxist theory the train is a cargo train, with capitalism spelling his own end, the falling into the grander picture is him falling back to the proletariat class where he truly belonged as he has flashed of a bourgeois life flashing before his eyes, the red carnations being the mourning of his ill-life’s placement and misfortune, as well as a symbol of what he could never achieve with vibrancy of life.

Wherefore Doth This Pertain

The importance of “Paul’s Case” appears to diminished with wins for the proletariat such as the restrictions on the bourgeois ability to oppress and expansiveness of unions, as well as the predominance of gay men and their subsequent acceptance; however, the illusion to the struggle against the machine, no matter which it is, still remains true as lesbians, bisxuals, pansexuals, and asexuals demand the same respect as hetrosexuals and gay men, and as trans people fight to still even be seen. Should we apply “Paul’s Case” to the modern Queer struggle, it becomes very easy to note the struggle with toxic masculinity and acceptance that trans people face not only within themselves but also in their surroundings. The modern Marxist would say that the Republicans and Democrats alike in America have sold out to the bourgeois and that elections are no longer controlled by the proletariat; this would be fuel for a revolution of equality and usurping the Masters. It is evident that “Paul’s Case” is timeless as are all stories of struggle, and that Paul was but a poor, little queer in a cis-system built to destroy him.