My Antonia by Willa Cather
Reviewed by KarenRatings
Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content
LANGUAGE
VIOLENCE
SEXUAL CONTENT
ADULT THEMES
Ratings Explanation
Language: The Lord’s name is taken in vain 4 times. A couple of mild swear words.
Violence: Jim kills a rattlesnake, a story is told of wolves killing many people in a wedding party, Mr. Shimerda commits suicide. He is sad due to leaving his country. Jake and Ambrosch have a fist fight, Mary (Ole’s wife) sets a barn on fire. A tramp jumps into a threshing machine and kills himself. Mary threatens Lena with a knife. It is briefly mentioned that Indian prisoners are tortured. Mr. Cutter beats up Jim. Mr. Cutter kills his wife and commits suicide.
Sexual Content: Mr. Cutter has hired prostitutes in the past. Mr. Cutter plans a sexual encounter with Antonia but his plans are foiled. Ole is in love with Lena. Jim has an implied affair with Lena. Jim kisses Antonia. Antonia has a child out of wedlock.
Adult Content: Smoking and drinking mentioned, emotional difficulties of living in a new country and of losing a loved one to suicide.
Synopsis
My Antonia is a turn-of-the-century story of growing up on the wind-swept prairies of Nebraska. Jim Burden, a young boy from Virginia, arrives in Nebraska on the same train as a Bohemian immigrant family, the Shimerda’s. A fast friendship develops between Jim and Antonia Shimerda, although they are of different social classes and nationalities. The story traces their lives and how they, and the land they live in, influence each other. The book is narrated by an older Jim as he nostalgically remembers his youth and young adulthood. “Some memories are realities, and are better than anything that can ever happen to one again.”
My Antonia is thought to be Willa Cather’s greatest novel. It is included on many “must read” lists. It is also a favorite book for English teachers to assign. Antonia stands for all immigrants and the pockets of European cultures transplanted to America lured by the promise of land and prosperity, and their ensuing struggles. I liked this “great American classic”.