Paul's "use" of women entirely results from his relationship with his

mother. Neither one of his relationship, with either Miriam or Clara is

successful for the mere reason that no one can compete with the
perfection of his mother, and the fact that his mother promotes those
feeling in him. He's a mama's boy, and mama is going to keep him
that way. Paul is torn in two directions with both of these women; he
loves them, and then he hates them.

Clara on the other hand has captured him sexually. They enjoy a
physical relationship rather than a spiritual one. Where Miriam is a
young girl, Clara is an older woman. Miriam would sacrifice anything
for Paul, and yet Clara still wants to reunite with her estranged
husband. Paul doesn't see the feelings Clara has for her husband at
the beginning of their affair, but as time goes on he no longer sees her
as a mystery and she no longer interests him.

Miriam is giving, virginal even. She was his first love, and she loves him
dearly, but he loves her in a spiritual sense rather than a romantic
sense. His relationship fails with Miriam because she is too sacrificial
and virginal to claim him as hers, whereas it fails with Clara because, it
seems, she has never given up on her estranged husband. However,
the major reason behind Paul's break-ups is the long shadow of his
mother; no woman can ever equal her in his eyes, and he can never
free himself from her possession