Manifestations of Childhood Trauma in Willa Cather’s Paul's Case

The protagonist of Willa Cather’s Paul's Case has been interpreted in different ways, especially in terms of his homosexuality and PTSD. But this short story has not been analyzed according to childhood trauma theories. Applying the theories of such thinkers as Sandra Bloom, Leonard Shengold, and Susan L. Reviere, the foregoing study is intended to examine the protagonist's alienation and isolation in the light of his childhood trauma. The trauma of losing his mother, as Reviere avers, has disrupted his schemas, turning him into an inflexible, inadaptable character, stripped of a comprehensive understanding of the world and the ability to interpret reality. Applying Bloom's theory, this paper will analyze Paul's various odd actions and behavior, arguing that due to the lack of linguistic ability and verbal communication, the protagonist resorts to the only means of self-expression at his disposal, i.e. "acting". Due to the other characters' lack of understanding of Paul's traumatized condition as well as their emotional neglect and maltreatment, Paul has grown into a psychopathic character, in line with Shengold's theory. It will be concluded that the protagonist's various tendencies and personality have been impacted by the trauma of losing his mother, thus the cause behind his alienation and anti-social behavior. Moreover, his traumatized condition is further exacerbated due to the lack of sympathy and emotional neglect on the part of the other characters, that is to say, the entire society at large, including his family members. Such a lack of understanding and maltreatment has caused various ramifications, including alienation and lack of verbal communication, psychopathy, and such like.