Let's part from this excerpt from part I of the story, which basically summarizes the main problem and also offers good insight.
The members of the stock company were vastly amused [... but] agreed with the faculty, and with his father, that Paul's was a bad case.
Now that we know that Paul’s issue is officially in the open, and known by Charley, his father, and everyone else connected to him, let’s explore how his father and Charley may have felt, or could have felt, after Paul’s death.
Charley
Charley Edwards is a young member of the stock company; the same stock company which, according to the quote discussed above, is now aware of Paul’s “bad case.” Nobody suspected anything strange about Paul, “least of all, Charley Edwards,” until after Paul is removed from Carnegie Hall. Therefore, Paul’s death should have been a huge shock to Charley, particularly after learning about his own role in the strange set of circumstances that conspicuously led to it. Paul had seen the theater as his only source of happiness. Paul also made up stories about the members of the stock company, and he felt most comfortable in the presence of Charley. Being so close all the time, Charley and Paul developed strong connections; a death would have been a huge, sad blow to Charley.
Aside from shock, Charley may have also felt a lot of guilt. After all, he and Paul “had gone over every detail” of Paul’s visit to New York. Yet, it is never clarified whether Charley was seriously helping in the planning of this, or just sharing a fantasy with his friend. Regardless, Charley unknowingly supported Paul in a dream that led to Paul’s commission of a crime, and then to his death. This would be sad news to anyone involved in the planning, or even in the suggestion, of the dream itself.
Charley
recognized in Paul something akin to what Churchmen term 'vocation.'
This is evidence that, upon hearing of Paul’s death, Charley would have also been quite grieved. Charley and Paul had a connection. They shared a dream, and they essentially loved the same things. To hear that someone so close is gone, is certainly a sad event in every context.
The father
Paul’s father would have felt guilty, angry, and completely devastated by the loss of his only son. He would have thought that he, in some way, drove Paul to being the way that he was. After all, he was his father, and entirely responsible for Paul’s well-being. He may have also felt that he was not a good father, since he was a widower trying to raise growing children the best way he could. As much as he tried, Paul would still not change. No parent, however, feels that their children are on their own in life completely. It is part of the paternal instinct born out of having children.
Yet, being Paul’s father is clearly a very hard thing to do. Having a problematic child is not a sought-after event in the life of any parent, ever. Paul is oppositional in school, socially awkward, makes up stories, is indifferent to the dreams and interests of kids of his own age, is very much hated by his teachers, and physically annoys people by dressing up awkwardly, and behaving in a way that makes other people feel uneasy.
Still, Paul’s Dad is an involved parent. He speaks to the teachers, takes action when Paul misbehaves, questions where Paul has been, and even shows Paul some role models to follow. He does all of this without a wife that could share the responsibilities of parenting with him. Paul’s dad is alone raising a family the best way that he can. Therefore, the father would have always thought that there was something else he could have done to fix Paul, somehow. He would have thought that Paul was derailed and needed guidance. He would have wanted a second chance with Paul. It is what any other parent would want and pray for, as this would be a tragedy of major proportions to any family.
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