Question

“My Brother Paul”

How does Dreiser organize the events that occur in Paul’s life? What connection is Dreiser making between these events?

Answer 1

The events Dreiser describes happen at different moments in time; however, they’re still in chronological order. The events show how his views regarding his brother Paul change over time. They also map the evolution of Paul’s mental breakdown. In the beginning of the story, Paul is described as young, hopeful, and resilient. As he grows, a little bit of his cheerful disposition gets chipped away with each event Dreiser describes. Ultimately, he loses most of his earnings, sinks into depression, and dies at his sister’s house.

-PLATO ANSWER :)

Answer 2

Question 1:

The events are organized in chronological order.

Question 2:

The events show how Paul goes from being a relatively successful, affable character, to being destitute and abandoned by most of his friends. The connecting element between the events is how goodness can be found in unexpected and unconventional places. Paul is characterized as being "generous to the point of self-destruction." Paul ends up sinking into depression after a series of bad events and dies at his sister's house of a heart attack.