Compare and contrast the characters of Paul in 'Paul's Case' and the narrator of 'I'm a Fool'.

Outline:

1. Introduction: Brief Summary of each story; Introduction of the main characters

2. Character Analysis

a. Narrator of "I'm A Fool"

b. Paul in "Paul's Case"

3. Comparing and contrasting the characters

a. Religious Motivation

b. Economical Issues

4. Conclusion

Thesis Statement:

The author of this essay wants to prove that Paul's actions are both influenced by economical and religious issues while the narrator's deeds in "I'm a Fool" are only economically influenced and happen mostly by mistake.

"Paul's Case" by Willa Cather is set in Pittsburgh at the beginning of the 20th century. The main character, Paul, is a high school student. He feels very frustrated with his life. He works as an usher at Carnegie Hall, but his father forbids him to work there. He eventually gets so fed up with his new work that he steals money from his employer and runs away to New York City.

Paul Walker

Paul Stang

[Portrait of Les Paul, Fat Tuesday, New York, N.Y....

When he has to return home he chooses death over life as it was before.

"I'm a Fool" by Sherwood Anderson is also set at the beginning of the 20th century. It is told through the eyes of a young man who works as a horse swipe. He meets a girl of a higher social class at a horse race and is fascinated by her .He makes up a story about who he is and where he is from. He makes the girl believe that he is someone else. When he finally realizes that she likes him for whom and what he is he is too embarrassed to tell her the truth.

The narrator in "I'm a Fool" shows quite a strong resemblance to Holden Caulfield in J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye". He does not seem to long for worldly greatness, but makes...