In the novel My Antonia, written by Willa Cather, we are introduced to an immigrant family named the Shimerdas and their daughter Antonia. Cather makes it clear that strength of characters can overcome all hardship. Throughout Antonia's lifetime there are many tribulations and sufferings that affect Antonia. Antonia's life is filled with suffering, but in the end her strong self does endure.
             The first misfortune which befalls Antonia, is the one of her father's untimely death. Her father committed suicide because he was disheartened by his inability to
             work the land and properly provide for his family. Because her father is no longer
             there, the burden of supporting the family by working the land falls on Antonia. However in the end of her life she uses this misfortune as a learning experience for her later work on a farm.
             Another source of affliction for Antonia is her job as a housekeeper. She
             is forced to work in horrible conditions. She even had to quit one job because her master would not let her go out at night. Another man of whom she worked for, tried to sexually harass her and had Jim, her childhood friend, not stayed in the house instead of Antonia, he would have been successful. Antonia pulls through, by going another job. She must do this to help provide for her family.
             One of the greatest tragedies of Antonia's life, that almost destroyed her, is the occurrence with Larry Donovan. Larry Donovan was the man to whom Antonia was engaged, who left her pregnant and unwed just days before their wedding. These circumstances cause her family to view her with disapproval and disdain. Antonia goes through this with the help of Widow Stevens. Mrs. Stevens watched Antonia as she worked in the fields. She noticed Antonia is pregnant and one night she was called to come and help. Antonia had given birth without help. She was ashamed of having had sex out of marriage but proud of her baby. ...