Artistic Light

What meaning does art hold in the lives of people? Is it simply available for entertainment, or to display power and prestige? On the other hand, is art the personification of light and happiness in one’s life? In “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather, Paul sees the world of art as an escape from reality and his “real” life. Paul is not content with his dreary life on Cordelia Street in Pittsburgh. He escapes …

…York City. That was his one true home. During his time there, Paul’s soul was set free to be happy and to seek his symbol of light. Willa Cather wrote this story to show how the arts can make life meaningful and open doors to opportunity. A person’s soul can roam free when they have a life of light in the arts, but a life without this light is no life at all.