My Antonia Analysis

Summary: My Ántonia begins as an account between an unknown narrator and Jim Burden, both of whom grew up together in a small Nebraska town. While on a train ride across Iowa, the two begin reminiscing about their childhoods and the conversation continually returns to a mutual friend, Ántonia. The narrator suggests that Jim write down what he remembers about her. Jim’s story begins at ten years old. Newly orphaned, Jim endures a trip to Black Hawk, Nebraska to live with his grandparents. Coincidentally, the Shimerdas travel on the same train and move to the farm next door to the Burdens. Upon arrival at his grandparents farm, Jim settles in and begins exploring the landscape of his new home. Mrs. Burden, Jim’s caring grandmother, insists on
Jim earns a law degree from the University of Nebraska and Harvard followed by much exploring of the world. However, at a young age, Ántonia finds herself pregnant and abandoned by her fiance forcing her to rebound to working on her mother's farm. After twenty years, Jim finally returns to Nebraska to visit his long lost friend. Upon arrival, Jim learns Ántonia married a man by the name Anton Cuzak with whom she birthed ten or eleven children. As Jim looked at Ántonia “the changes grew less apparent...her identity stronger...She was there, in full vigour of her personality, battered but not diminished” (Cather 214). Neither forgot about the other and Ántonia even discloses their childhood adventures to her children. The sensation of being a part of her family overwhelms Jim with gratitude and happiness, promising to return and reestablish their friendship. My Ántonia dissolves as Jim leaves Ántonia's farm for Black Hawk where disappointment of the changes sadden him; however, as he walks toward his grandparents’ old farm, the familiar landscape gifts him the “sense of coming home” (Cather 238) (Cather
At eleven, Ántonia worried little about working or needing the responsibility of supporting her family. Helping her family when needed, Ántonia spent most of her free time learning to speak English and exploring the countryside with Jim. However, that changed a year or so after immigrating to Nebraska when her father commits suicide. Lacking a pair of working hands, Ántonia relinquishes her childhood to support her mother and siblings in the fields. After a number of years, Ántonia receives the opportunity to work in town as a house servant for the Harlings. Instead of working in the fields, Ántonia learns daily housework and proper manners for a young woman. Living in Black Hawk opens many doors for Ántonia; including, the opportunity to have a social life. Every week, Ántonia and her friends, Lena and Tilly, dance either at the Vannis dancing pavilion or at the Firemen's Dance. Ántonia feels accepted in the dancing community. Interest in pretty things like dresses and relationships leads her to an abandoned engagement and pregnancy; thus, throwing her back into the difficult working life. Ántonia continues to work on her mother's farm until she meets and marries Anton Cuzak. Alongside her husband and dozen children, Ántonia continues to work hard, though no longer in fields, but in a house, demonstrating her determination to make a better life for herself and family in a new country