Analysis Of My Antonia - Essay Example

But as the story progresses and he comes to understand the reality of the situation, he shows his appreciation for immigrants like Antonia by stating –‘One result of this family solidarity was that the foreign farmers in our county were the first to become prosperous". As Jim blossoms in his youth, he undergoes a lot of changes in his life especially the areas where his personal life is concerned. His experiences in the West are interwoven with his academic education which is what makes the story all the more interesting.

Antonia to Jim is someone whom he respects and loves a lot. In fact, Jim’s memoir is titled ‘My Antonia’ and is dedicated to her, proving the depth of his admiration and love for her. His memoir is not just about the story of his childhood and his experiences but it focuses on Antonia and what she had meant to him. The beauty of this memoir lies in the ambiguity of love. Jim’s feelings and emotions towards Antonia are very strong and though he does admit his deep love for her, yet it does not explicitly advertise it.

Jim takes pride in her strong physical appearance and her sexual appeal, but he is also very protective of her, from the other ‘creepy guys’ in the neighborhood. However, now and then he is filled with flashes of passion and this is evident when he tries to kiss her one night near the gate, while Antonia jokingly pushes him away. But, whatever his feelings were towards Antonia, it had a great impact on him for the rest of his life.. Jim takes pride in her strong physical appearance and her sexual appeal, but he is also very protective of her, from the other ‘creepy guys’ in the neighborhood.

However, now and then he is filled with flashes of passion and this is evident when he tries to kiss her one night near the gate, while Antonia jokingly pushes him away. But, whatever his feelings were towards Antonia, it had a great impact on him for the rest of his life. The following lines testify Jim’s feelings for Antonia -"I'd have liked to have you for a sweetheart, or a wife, or my mother or my sister – anything that a woman can be to a man" (4.4.7).  Antonia’s influence over Jim helps to change his life.

The impact is clearly evident when Jim states -"You influence my likes and dislikes, all my tastes, hundreds of times when I don't realize it. You really are a part of me" (4.4.7) Both Antonia and Jim have opposing characteristics. While Antonia is strong and decisive, Jim is more emotional, passive and indecisive. All the above points show that Antonia represents a part of his past which was simple, pure and innocent. Representing yet another part of his life which is his adolescence and adulthood is the character of Mr.

Shimerda who was the father of Antonia, Marek, Ambrosch, and Yulka well. He was an intelligent and dignified gentleman who loved his life in Bohemia and hated his new life in America. Mr. Shimerda became heart broken because he could not adjust to the hard life on the farm. Jim took a great liking to Mr. Shimerda because he understood the sadness and exhaustion that he was experiencing by feeling alone in this world. Jim admired Mr. Shimerda and was