My Antonia
by Willa Cather
After the death of his parents, Jim is sent to live with his grandparents in the plains of Nebraska. Luckily, on the same train will be his lifelong neighbor and girlfriend Antonia with bright eyes. His family emigrated from Bohemia to start a new life, but he soon lost his money and had to work hard to survive. Thanks to all this, Antonia retains her natural pride and free spirit. Jim's grandparents have a large and tidy farm. They are kind to him, but conditional. Later, Jim becomes a scientist and Antonia becomes a "hired girl" in the city. It blossoms in the new freedom offered by urban life. Jim can only taste this life through urban gossip and the "dance tent" narrative. Antonia's strong will, spirit and honesty allow her to thrive in the midst of adversity. Cather paints a rich picture of life in the prairies, early twentieth century, and depicts some of the many cultures that became part of the United States.
