In, “The Destructors,” by Graham Greene, the theme of impersonality is embedded in the story in complex, perhaps hesitant, ways, reflected by Trevor’s own ambivalence towards the house. Trevor persuades the gang to destroy the house he oddly enough admires: he finds the interior of the house 'beautiful', and by is particularly impressed the old staircase and 'the opposite forces' which prevent it collapsing. It should be noted that his finding the house beautiful initially causes tension within the gang. Blackie is immediately suspicious and, at the same time as it is openly stated that this suspicion is related to class, unreservedly it is the fact that Trevor is making a personal response that is the source of the tension. Evidence for this is found in the fact that 'it only needed a single use of his real name and the gang would be at his heels.' His personal response, symbolic of a set of values, is not permitted and it threatens the identity he has within the gang.
In “Paul’s Case,” by Willa Cather I noticed that Paul, the majority of the time he spends, he spends it alone. Many times, we try to separate ourselves from the world around us; we distance ourselves from society that gives us life. What is worse, we are voluntarily subjected to the lonesomeness which precedes childishness in our own self pity. ''Paul’s Case,'' in which the theme of the fatal progression of deliberate seclusion presents the major conflict, centers around a young man, in his hostility, suppressing his need for attention and satisfying himself through his own world established through his seclusion. The author, Willa Cather, renders this main theme by her insinuations of the character, by the point of view she chooses to illuminate Paul’s characteristics, and by key symbols that contribute to the overall work.
I believe the stories are different in the way that Trevor, from “The Destructors” appears to be constantly seeking attention and Paul from “Paul’s Case” seems to avoid it. Trevor can’t uncover happiness in his everyday life and discovers himself performing certain “disasters,” such as destroying Mr. Thomas’s house, for fulfillment. Paul on the other hand finds himself being isolated and enjoys zoning out and not attracting attention towards himself. They both seem apprehensive to me and this is perhaps their biggest similarity. Both equally sense that they need to do something diverse than what they are doing, to satisfy themselves and others.
