Cowan Captures Cather s Essence in Paul s Case
Ron Cowan’s appreciation for Willa Cather’s original vision, of “Paul’s Case,” is evident in his adaptation as it closely resembles the short story. In Cowan’s process of imitation, he is precise in attempting to emulate the particulars of Cather’s setting and, thus, the central themes that Cather is explicit in conveying. Through this exploration of Cather’s short story, Cowan reveals quirks in Paul’s temperament that are crucial in comprehending the effect of the story and its theme. ... It is befitting then that Cather places her story in Pittsburg, home of the major steel producers. ... Yet this curriculum or system of authority, where discipline and reliability are core virtues, alienated Paul. ... In Paul’s English class where writing is a product instead of a process and form dictates meaning, he is commanded to make “a synopsis of a paragraph at the blackboard.” This method of instruction is the wrong approach for a student in Paul’s case, with Paul’s disposition. Paul’s temperament seems to reflect what happens within the factory model of education when a student comes down the assembly line and does not fit the standard model.