"Paul's Case": Willa Cathers The story "Paul's Case" describes Willa Cathers belief that in the early 1900's, economically disadvantaged people were not subject to such a beautiful atmosphere unlike that of the bourgeoisie. Cathers tells a story of a young boy who desperately wants to be a part of this world and then realizes that "this was what all the world was fighting for, he reflected, this was what all the struggle was about", once he had lived in the glorious haven of New York City. Cathers repeatedly acknowledges that during this time period Pittsburgh was a dreadful place to live in, covered in soot, dirt, and ash from