Essay

Megan Sarlo

Rebeske- 2B

"My Antonia"

                In the beginning of the novel, “My Antonia” by Willa Cather one of the main characters, Antonia, father committed suicide. They have a little funeral for him. They bury him at the corner of the farm where someday the roads may cross, according to Mrs. Shimerda that one day people will run over his head.                

                This funeral scene makes a contribution to this work because Antonia was so close to her father and Jim was so fond of him. That this scene is what always keeps Antonia and Jim together.  Even though Antonia is a few years older than Jim, he still likes her. Since Antonia’s father was so fond of Jim he allowed his daughter to go to the Burdens’ house every day to learn English because it is important for at least one family member to speak the language. Even though Antonia gets into some love trouble and other trouble Jim seems to always be there when she needs him. She is also fond of Jim because he actually decided to go to college and make something of himself. And is bragging to everyone in the town of Black Hawk that he left and made something of himself. He became a person who studies law. Jim came back and visited Antonia and then went to New York City, New York to join a law firm. The funeral scene is how Jim and Antonia connect every time that he comes back to visit.

                This is how the funeral scene contributes to this work. It shows a connection of how Jim and Antonia connect and their relationship. Even though Jim liked Antonia at one point or for most of the book they were still like best friends.

Essay Prompt

1997. Novels and plays often include scenes of weddings, funerals, parties, and other social occasions. Such scenes may reveal the values of the characters and the society in which they live. Select a novel or play that includes such a scene and  in a focused essay, disscuss the contribution the scene makes to the meaning of the work as a whole.

Cool Links

http://www.gradesaver.com/my-antonia/study-guide/related-links/

This link has many more links on it such as...
 character lists
 summaries
 tests
 and much more....

Book to Media post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNZRE6VLoO0&feature=related

I choose this video because it gives us some background information of how and why Willa Cather wrote the book. And it gives us background information of the book itself.

Post five

Jim goes away to college and Antonia gets mixed up in some love intrest and gets pregant. Later Jim goes with his mentor to Harved with his Grandfathers permission. When he returns to see Antonia he finds out that she is married to a guy named Cuzak and has children. Jim is introduced to all of them and will go back next summer to hunt with the boys.

Post four

Antonia gets into some trouble and her choice is to either quit going to the dance pavilion or to else she find another position. So she goes to work for the Cutters'. One day the Mr. Cutter and his wife leave but he makes sure that Mrs. Cutter gets on the wrong train so he can come back a day early to seduce Antonia. Little does he know that she is at the Burdens while Jim is sleeping in her place at the Cutters'. Mr. Cutter gets mad and beats Jim. Why is Mr. Cutter like tha? And why didnt Antonia do anything about it before that night?

Post three

Jim and his grandparents moved to town and he didn't hear much about Antonia until Mrs. Harling hires her as a cook. Then Antonia starts to admire Charley Harling, and her affection for Charley arouses Jim's jealousy. See i told you that he liked her. But lets keep reading to see what else happens...

Post two

Antonia and Jim seemed to be having a good time then when Jim ran into a rattlesnake she just went off on him. Yelling at him in bohemian. Why would she just go off on him? At least he had a spear to kill it with.. Then she wanted to brag about how he killed a rattlesnake with the spear. I don't get it.

Post one

I started this book last year but wasn't able to finish it. I had really enjoyed what i had already read so i decided to reread and finish the book this year. One question that came to mind while reading this book last year and this year is Does Jim like Antonia? well there is only one way to find out... that is to keep reading.