Summary Of Willa Cather's O Pioneers !

O Pioneers! is the first book of the renowned prairie trilogy written by Willa Cather, a Pulitzer Prize winning author. This book was published in 1913 and tells the fictional story of the life of a Swedish women named Alexandra Bergson. The story begins when Alexandra was a young woman as her father’s health was declining. The doctor sadly told the family that there was nothing he could do for their father and that he was to die soon. Before Mr. Bergson’s death he gathered his four children together and told them he was leaving Alexandra, who was merely a teenager at the time, in charge of the farm. It was a lofty task for such a young girl, but her father saw something in Alexandra that he did not see in any of his other children. Times were …show more content…
Bergson, Alexandra was a full grown woman with one of the most successful farms in all of Nebraska. The reason for her success was nothing more than her hard work and persistence. Alexandra lived a hard life, facing many obstacles and hardships that neither she nor anyone could prepare for. Often times she was the only one who believed in their operation, for she was doubted by everyone. As the story went along the author developed Alexandra’s character just as Alexandra was blossoming as a person. Through the insight the narrator gave us, the words and actions of others towards Alexandra, as well as Alexandra’s thoughts, words, and actions, the author made Alexandra out to be the strong, persevering, and compassionate hearted woman she …show more content…
He couldn’t help but compare Alexandra to his own father who was a hardworking and successful entrepreneur. The narrator said that Mr. Bergson “recognized the strength of will, and the simple direct way of thinking things out” that his father had, within Alexandra (page 9.) He knew he could trust her to run the farm, for she had the grit and brains about her that was necessary to produce a successful operation. One of her greatest accomplishments that she took much pride in was giving her youngest brother, Emil, an opportunity that the rest of the children had not had. That was to attend University and get a college degree. Emil was always very thankful and supportive of his sister and thought very highly of her for this. At one point the two brothers that each owned a portion of the family farm land did not agree with one of Alexandra’s decisions, but Emil told Alexandra, “you ought to do as you please” (page 59.) Often times throughout the story her two brothers, disagreed with the opinions of their sister. They did not believe she was making the right decision by purchasing a large plot of land through a loan or trying out a new farming technique, but Alexandra always persevered. She knew what she was doing. The outcome of the risks that she took were always better than imaginable. Emil trusted his sisters’