"Paul's Case" Questions
"Paul's Case" by Willa Cather
1123-Paul’s Case – Discussion Questions
Written by Willa Cather in 1905
All of the following are to be at least a paragraph and typed:
Look up on Internet:
1. Carnegie Hall and write a paragraph or so about its history and what it is today.
2. Look up Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and write a paragraph or so about its history and what it is today.
3. Who do you think Paul is (your thoughts about who he really is)?
4. What do you think were the biggest issues for Paul (in his background and what he has become)?
5. What did Paul genuinely want? Was there any middle ground for Paul between what he had and what he wanted—could he see any?
6. Is he in some way (not exactly, of course) like anyone you know or have known? How?
7. Why would Willa Cather have chosen two such contrasting cities, Pittsburg and New York?
8. What could someone or a group of people have done for Paul that would have made a difference (maybe not totally but would have helped)?
9. Because of the times in which we live now and the news we have read, when did you begin to expect that the story might end this way? What was the progression in steps?
10. Calvinism -
My husband and children (6 and 2) moved to Rhode Island in 1976 and in a couple of years to Boston, MA. Of course, we experienced many snow storms and some especially severe ones where we were trapped and could not extract ourselves from the places where we were. This story calls to mind a true story about John Jacob Astor and his wife who were snowed in while traveling. Finding a hotel, he asked for a room, but the clerk said, “Sir, there are absolutely no rooms available as the snow storm has caused all to be filled. Mr. Astor asked again, “We will take anything—a suite or any room, no matter what the price. The bright young man thought and answered, “Sir, there is nothing at any price; however, there is a small room close to the desk that is reserved for me when I am working all night so that I may have an hour or so of sleep. If you will give me a few minutes, I will ask Housekeeping ladies to try to ready it for you. Within an hour, the room was cleaned, prepared, even with mints on the pillows. Then the young clerk said, “There is no charge.” Mr. and Mrs. Astor were so glad to have a nice, warm place to sleep for the night. They thanked the young man; no money was exchanged, but the next morning they asked his name and said one day they would send a thank you note.
About a year and a half later, the young man received a note from Mr. Astor, saying, “Young man, you extended a very gracious act to us that winter night. I have just purchased the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, and I would like you to come and be the Manager!”
Calvinism (also called the Reformed tradition or the Reformed faith) is a major branch of Western Christianity Links to an external site. that follows the theological tradition and forms of Christian practice of John Calvin Links to an external site. and other Reformation Links to an external site.-era theologians. Calvinists broke with the Roman Catholic Links to an external site. church but differed with Lutherans Links to an external site. on the real presence Links to an external site. of Christ in the Lord's supper Links to an external site., theories of worship Links to an external site., and the use of God's law for believers Links to an external site., among other things.[1] Links to an external site.[2] Links to an external site. Calvinism is a misleading term because the religious tradition it denotes is and has always been diverse, with a wide range of influences rather than a single founder. The movement was first called "Calvinism" by Lutherans who opposed it, and many within the tradition would prefer to use the word "Reformed" rather than "Calvinist."[3] Links to an external site.[4] Links to an external site. Since the Arminian controversy Links to an external site., the Reformed (as a branch of Protestantism Links to an external site. distinguished from Lutheranism) are divided into Arminians Links to an external site. and Calvinists, however it is now rare to call Arminians Reformed, as many see these two schools of thought as opposed, making the terms Calvinist and Reformed synonymous.[5] Links to an external site.[6] Links to an external site.
Early influential Reformed theologians include John Calvin Links to an external site., Martin Bucer Links to an external site., Heinrich Bullinger Links to an external site., and Peter Martyr Vermigli Links to an external site..
John Calvin Links to an external site. (1509-64), Heinrich Bullinger Links to an external site. (1504-75), Wolfgang Musculus Links to an external site. (1497-1563), Peter Martyr Vermigli Links to an external site. (1500-62), and Andreas Hyperius Links to an external site. (1511-64) belong to the second generation of Reformed theologians. Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion Links to an external site. (1536-59) was one of the most influential theologies of the era.[8] Links to an external site. Toward the middle of the 16th century, the Reformed began to commit their beliefs to confessions of faith Links to an external site., which would shape the future definition of the Reformed faith. The 1549 Consensus Tigurinus Links to an external site. brought together those who followed Zwingli and Bullinger's memorialist Links to an external site. theology of the Lord's supper, which taught that the supper simply serves as a reminder of Christ's death, and Calvin's view that the supper serves as a means of grace Links to an external site. with Christ actually present, though spiritually rather than bodily. The document demonstrates the diversity as well as unity in early Reformed theology. The remainder of the 16th century saw an explosion of confessional activity. The stability and breadth of Reformed theology during this period stand in marked contrast to the bitter controversy experienced by Lutherans prior to the 1579 Formula of Concord Links to an external site..