My Antonia question #3

The book, "My Antonia" by Willa Cather addresses several universal themes. I think the main themes would be hard work, family, and friendship. Hard work is something that is present through out the entire story. The setting of this book takes place for the majority, in Black Hawk, Nebraska on a farm. Hard work is necessary for farm life and without it, you could not survive out there. One person who I really think had the trait of a hard worker and dedication was Antonia Shimerda. Antonia and her family had just moved to Black Hawk, Nebraska all the way from Bohemia and they had a lot to learn about farm life. With the help of their neighbors, the Burdens however, they are able to adapt easier. Antonia, even though a girl, really stepped up for her family and worked hard to help with the manual labor on the farm. She was very strong and the book says that she could work just as well as the boys. This was a trait that she kept her whole life. Jim Burden also was a hard worker. He worked hard in his education rather than manual labor though. Jim was able to better himself through school and went off to become a lawyer. Another theme in "My Antonia" is family. Family is very important to both the Shimerda and Burden family and this is what the plot of the story revolves around for the most part. An event that really brought both families together was the death of Antonia's father, Mr.Shimerda. This was a tragic event for both families, but in a way made them even closer. One last theme would be friendship. The friendship and struggles between Jim Burden and Antonia Shimerda is what makes up the plot. Their friendship is tested several times though, especially through separation. When life's demands causes them to physically be a part, it had no effect on their friendships itself. They always ended up making their way back to each other and remain life-long friends. I think Willa Cather understands how positive family relationships and friendships can effect a humans life.

Cather, Willa. My Antonia. New York: Barns & Noble, 2003. Print.