was a young man, felt that his father, teachers and classmates misunderstood

therefore were unworthy of his company. In the story there are many symbolic

elements. Flowers, for instance, symbolize Paul's personality and life. The

between the boy and the flowers is made by the author many times throughout

In the beginning of the story Paul has a meeting with the teachers of his school

because he was misbehaving. For the meeting Paul shows up wearing "clothes

were a trifle outgrown . . . [with] a red carnation in his buttonhole" (49). This

total disrespect for authority because he is going to get disciplined; and the

thought this "was not properly significant of the contrite spirit befitting a boy

school or his teachers: his teachers felt "that his whole attitude was symbolized

pleased with his surroundings and his style of living during his days in New

losing game in the end, it seemed, this revolt against the homilies by

Some common words found in the essay are:
, York Paul, York City, Carnegie Hall, red carnation, pg 60,
Approximate Word count = 2494
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)