Subjects:
Jim’s relationship with Ántonia was the theme of the story and obviously the most important event. To Jim, Ántonia was exotic, beautiful and desirable even when they were very young. After he met her family, Mr. Shimerda asked Jim to teach Ántonia English and so, they began their lessons together. He greatly admired her and spent a lot of time with her not only during their lessons, but also playing together on the prairie and occasionally visiting the Russians. Jim acted only as a friend and confidant, but never a lover to Ántonia during all of the years they knew each other. Ántonia’s character was stronger than any other in the book in mind, spirit and body; she didn’t complain about
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At the end of the story, I am left with one question that does not have anything to do with the plot and that is never answered. Ántonia’s father’s suicide affected her life in more ways than one.
The ending of the story surprised me slightly. He became a legend in Ántonia family as much as she was a legend in his life. Along with that, the fact that a female writer using a male narrator was considered odd in those times. She expressed as a boy and man what she was feeling towards women. Ambrosch expected her to take the place of another man in as many ways as possible. Only Jim’s grandmother saved her from being “spoiled” as a woman. The successfulness of both Lena and Tiny are ironic because they are so flighty, social, and careless in their younger years while Ántonia is hardworking and mature and she never really makes anything of herself. The presented carelessness, beauty, and fun in their early years.
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