Two Heads Are Better Than One In Willa Cather's My Ántonia she composes a beautiful story combining setting, characterization, and motif to enforce the theme of the novel, which is stated explicitly, contrary to the usual manner of a novel. Cather, through her character Ántonia, says, "Ain't it wonderful, Jim, how much people can mean to each other?" (206). Jim Burden is an orphan moving to Nebraska to live with his grandparents. The story tracks Jim's character growth as well as his evolving relationship with his Bohemian neighbors, the Shimerdas. Ántonia, the eldest daughter, provides especial fascination for Jim; she is a few years older than Jim, and is full of life. Over the years, Jim keeps up a relationship with her, which evolves from friendship to fancy. However, they fall apart as the years pass and they go their separate ways. The novel ends with their reunion after many years separated. Cather's setting is a key part of the
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The Burdens and the Shimerdas are neighbors, but have a strained relationship because the Shimerdas are not acting as good neighbors should. The Burdens try to be good neighbors to them, but during the first winter towards the beginning neglect their duty as a prosperous family to help their struggling neighbors. "All the way home grandmother and Jake talked about how easily good Christian people could forget they were their brothers' keepers" (64). Though the Shimerdas and Burdens do not provide an exemplary demonstration of neighbors, the Burdens and Harlings do. "Grandmother often said that if she had to live in town, she thanked God she lived next to the Harlings" (96). The Burdens and Harlings were genial towards each other, and Jim's second home was with the Harlings. If he wanted a "jolly evening" (101) he would go to the Harlings. The Burdens and Harlings have a good relationship as neighbors, which promotes the theme of the importance of
The Burdens and the Shimerdas are neighbors, but have a strained relationship because the Shimerdas are not acting as good neighbors should. The Burdens try to be good neighbors to them, but during the first winter towards the beginning neglect their duty as a prosperous family to help their struggling neighbors. "All the way home grandmother and Jake talked about how easily good Christian people could forget they were their brothers' keepers" (64). Though the Shimerdas and Burdens do not provide an exemplary demonstration of neighbors, the Burdens and Harlings do. "Grandmother often said that if she had to live in town, she thanked God she lived next to the Harlings" (96). The Burdens and Harlings were genial towards each other, and Jim's second home was with the Harlings. If he wanted a "jolly evening" (101) he would go to the Harlings. The Burdens and Harlings have a good relationship as neighbors, which promotes the theme of the importance of