Literary Analysis: Paul of Paul's Case by Willa Cather vs. Holden from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Just finished sorta reading Paul's Case after the group did the presentation. I know, I'm a baaaadd student, but look at the post I'm currently doing. I think it makes up for it.

Red carnation vs. red hunting hat
Paul's carnation may represent homosexuality, but also individuality. It distinguishes him from everybody else. Holden's hat also represents individuality for the same reason.

Lying
Paul is a chronic liar. He lies to his father about where he is going, showing their strained relationship. Also, he lies to his friends and teachers about working for the stock company in order to feel better about himself. Infamous for calling people "phonies," Holden Caulfield lies just as well. He criticizes adults for being hypocrites finding faults in them because he has low self esteem himself.

Loneliness
Paul is lonely, but finds happiness in the theater. By lying to his peers, teacher, and family, he alienates himself. He really doesn't have any friends. Even the guy from Yale eventually leaves. His loneliness probably has to do with his mother dying when he was younger.
Holden doesn't have any friends either. He too isolates them with his superior attitude that masks his emptiness inside. He finds himself talking to cab drivers an hiring prostitutes just to talk because of this void feeling.