Why does Paul feel like he just doesn't fit in with this world?

What will not fitting in do to him?

Willa Cather, today on the Classic Tales Podcast. Welcome to this vintage episode of the Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.

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In today's story, Paul just can't seem to find his place.

Cather layers on the different woes that Paul has to deal with. He uses art as an escape from reality. He also has had issues with his home life, etc.

The author gently layers on the struggles of a character so effectively.

By the end, we fully understand his motivations, which, as it turns out is heartbreaking.

And now, Paul's case to appear before the faculty of the Pittsburgh High School to account for his various misdemeanors. He had been suspended a week ago,

and his father had called at the principal's office and confessed his perplexity about his son.

Paul entered the faculty room suave. perplexity about his son.

Paul entered the faculty room suave and smiling.

His clothes were trifle outgrown, and the tan velvet on the collar of his open overcoat was frayed and worn. But for all that

there was something of the dandy about him and he wore an opal pin in his neatly

buttoned knotted black fore in hand, and a red carnation in his

buttonhole.

This latter adornment the faculty somehow felt was not properly significant of the contrite spirit, befitting a boy under the

ban of suspension. Paul was tall for his age and very thin, with high cramped shoulders and a narrow chest. His eyes were remarkable

for a certain hysterical brilliancy and he continually used them in a conscious theatrical sort of way, peculiarly offensive in a boy.

...