One of the most useful literary devices in writing is that of imagery. Imagery combines descriptive words and intricate structure to create stunning pictures in the reader’s mind. The quintessence of imagery can be found in Willa Cather’s famous novel, My Ántonia. Willa Cather utilizes her childhood in Nebraska, as well as her experiences with European immigrants, to realistically paint a picture of the struggles of homesteaders on the Nebraskan farmland. In addition to creating a beautiful setting for her novel, Cather uses descriptive language to build meaningful and complex relationships. Through the use of imagery and vivid descriptions, Cather demonstrates that friendship endures the test of time.
Cather’s word pictures and figurative …show more content…
The most prominent friendship is the friendship of Jim Burden and Ántonia Shimerda. Of course, Jim shares a variety of friendships, but none of them as deep-seated as his and Ántonia’s. He forms an exclusive bond with Ántonia, a bond able to withstand copious trials throughout their lives. Consequently, Ántonia becomes a representation of Jim’s childhood. When Jim reflects on his time in Nebraska, he is reminded of her and the good memories they shared. The romantic side of Jim’s personality is shown through their moments together; Jim often idealizes Antonia and becomes dismayed when she makes mistakes. Afraid to see the elderly Antonia, he keeps his distance for twenty years, wanting to preserve the young and innocent girl he remembered so fondly. Furthermore, Cather writes of another perplexing relationship in Jim’s childhood; his relationship with Lena Lingard. Lena and Ántonia are as different as night and day, yet Jim forms similar relationships with them. For example, Jim grows to love both girls; his love for Ántonia stems from friendship, but his love for Lena has no previous history. Therefore, his love for Lena never blossoms to its full potential. Instead, he remains friends with her, as he does with Ántonia,. After his twenty years of absence, Jim returns to Nebraska to find the lovely personality that Antonia kept, despite the trials in her life. Jim’s relationships with Lena and
Cather’s word pictures and figurative …show more content…
The most prominent friendship is the friendship of Jim Burden and Ántonia Shimerda. Of course, Jim shares a variety of friendships, but none of them as deep-seated as his and Ántonia’s. He forms an exclusive bond with Ántonia, a bond able to withstand copious trials throughout their lives. Consequently, Ántonia becomes a representation of Jim’s childhood. When Jim reflects on his time in Nebraska, he is reminded of her and the good memories they shared. The romantic side of Jim’s personality is shown through their moments together; Jim often idealizes Antonia and becomes dismayed when she makes mistakes. Afraid to see the elderly Antonia, he keeps his distance for twenty years, wanting to preserve the young and innocent girl he remembered so fondly. Furthermore, Cather writes of another perplexing relationship in Jim’s childhood; his relationship with Lena Lingard. Lena and Ántonia are as different as night and day, yet Jim forms similar relationships with them. For example, Jim grows to love both girls; his love for Ántonia stems from friendship, but his love for Lena has no previous history. Therefore, his love for Lena never blossoms to its full potential. Instead, he remains friends with her, as he does with Ántonia,. After his twenty years of absence, Jim returns to Nebraska to find the lovely personality that Antonia kept, despite the trials in her life. Jim’s relationships with Lena and