Although not directly involved with Grant and Jefferson, Paul is one of the key characters in the novel. Along with Miss Emma, Paul symbolizes the hope of the Civil Rights movement, which promised to transform the social, political, and economic relationships between blacks and whites.
As noted in the Introduction to the Novel section, the theme of transformation pervades the novel. To understand Paul's pivotal role in the transformation process, we must analyze three key aspects of his character: the symbolism and allusion surrounding his name; his role as a white authority figure; and his attitude toward Grant, Jefferson, and Miss Emma.
In literature, and especially in African-American literature, names often provide insight into a character's soul. In this novel, Gaines places special emphasis on Paul's name. Recall that even before Paul invites Grant to call him by his first name, Grant tells Vivian in Chapter 9 that he dreams of naming his future son "Paul." Keeping in mind Grant's ambivalent attitude toward religion, as demonstrated by his confrontation with Rev. Ambrose, it is significant to note that the biblical Paul is one of the most influential figures of the New Testament. The story of his miraculous transformation from Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of the early Christians, to the Apostle Paul, a devout Christian and disciple of Jesus Christ, is often cited as one of the most inspiring testaments to the power of Christ. To countless Christians, Paul's life exemplifies hope and illustrates not only the changes that can be wrought in one individual's life based on faith, but also the profound impact that one individual can have on the lives of others. At the end of the book, as Paul Bonin bears witness to Jefferson's "death and resurrection," we see Paul accepting the same role as the biblical Paul in bearing witness and spreading the truth.
