Good Morning, ladies and gentlemen.

My name is Cashmere Blanche Alin and I stand

before you to express my views on why Paul’s suicide is unjustifiable. I will first state the
evidences and then prove why it is unjustifiable.

Firstly, let me ask you a question, during the times when you feel down and start to
overthink, have you ever come across the question, “WHO AM I?” And what was your answer
to it? Now, I know what you’re thinking, what does that question have to relate to Paul’s case
and his unjustifiable suicide? Well, in my opinion, if Paul were to answer that question, he
wouldn’t dare to hesitate and answer right away. His answer would be half truthful and
dishonest because he was quite accustomed to lying. He would say things that relate to the
way of life of the high class and to his fantasies. IF he was talking with his peers, and they
wouldn’t take him too seriously, desperately he would make up stories just to get their
attention. Cause that’s what he is, a liar, a pretender and an attention seeker. He lies to
himself and to the people around him about who he is.
Secondly, apart from being a liar, Paul’s also an egoistic troublemaker. In the
beginning of the story, when he was called at the principal’s office, though still in suspension,
he proudly wore a red carnation flower with a face suave and smiling as if he wasn’t in trouble,
that was peculiarly offensive and brought discomfort to the teachers. During the inquisition,
the teachers explained that Paul showed disrespectful and sometimes violent behavior during
class. His response to the statement was merely honest and the tone of his voice was impolite
in a way.
Lastly, Paul adored a lot of things and dreamed big. All throughout the story, the
author, Willa Sibert Cather, made Paul’s interests in the beauty of art obvious. However, this
caused him to create a fantasy world that he focused more on and used it as an escape than
his own reality that he hated and was ashamed of. He felt depressed when faced with reality.
He couldn’t accept the ugly life he was put in. He became crazy obsessed with his fantasy that
when he was in New York, he decided to steal the money which he was asked to deposit, and
used it to buy luxurious things and stay in a luxurious hotel. He was at the peak of
satisfaction and happiness when he did that. But, after some time, he later became so
depressed because of his actions and way of thinking that he felt like no matter where he
went, he was still trapped in a box and didn’t have freedom. He could not remember a time
when he had felt so at peace with himself. Because of this, he decided to end his life.

Based on the evidences that I just mentioned, you can clearly state that his suicide
was unjustifiable. Why? Every situation that Paul got himself in, he was given a choice to
choose the right path. He was given a chance to change his beliefs and shape himself to a
better and more positive individual.
Life shouldn’t be wasted just because one cannot accept his or her flaws and mistakes.
It shouldn’t be wasted just because he or she is lazy and cannot simply take the risk.
Committing suicide is just something that stops people to solve and find answers to their
problems. It ends any chance of people’s future life being better. Paul was ambitious in a good
and bad way. If he didn’t end his life, with the right guidance, he could’ve shaped himself into
a better person.
We should always remember that we should take every obstacle we face in life as a
lesson that helps us grow stronger and face even bigger challenges in the future. Life is the
most precious and priceless gift that God gave us and we shouldn’t waste any time. We must
spend it wisely because there will never be a second chance to live life again. Each and every
one of us are bound to reach the end of the line whether we like it or not.