Introduction of the Poem:
Case Study, which appeared in The Unfinished Man, is the portrait of a man who could not make up his mind about his career or mission in life; he is, indeed, the unfinished man— weak - willed, wavering and irresolute. Believed to be the poet himself in disguise, he arouses considerable sympathy from Ezekiel. He may be weak but he is a well - intentioned persona who elicits our sympathy.
Critical Summary:
The protagonist finds that whatever he has done in life so far has been mostly off the mark. He has never known what exactly to do in life; he has been unable to follow the example set by his teachers. He hasn't been able to decide whether he should practise yoga, or study Greek, or go through life in a pretentious, bluffing manner, cheating everybody. After studying in an ordinary school and a worthless college, he entered into a foolish love affair. Then he tried to build some sort of career and, finding bookish knowledge useless, tried to enter politics.
He found his marriage to be the worst mistake of his life. Although he loved his children, he spoilt them with too much love and discipline. He then found that he had damned himself so far as his domestic life was concerned.
The man worked at several jobs before he stopped looking for more jobs. According to people, he was an unpractical person who conceived impossible projects that he later gave up. In fact, he never stirred unless he found something he loved. When he went to consult the poet one day, he was given this advice: You will continue to behave in the same purposeless and irresolute manner unless you shake off this tendency in a firm and determined manner. It is not possible to eat your cake and still have it. Many others have believed in this. All those who do not prove successful in life do not fail also; they are not always regarded as cheats or frauds.
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