As you read Willa Cather's novel, I will post some of my thoughts, and I will post some of your thoughts, as well. Feel free to comment on any post, but please be thoughtful and considerate when you do, and please don't comment anonymously. --EC
Friday, March 4, 2011
One-sentence thoughts about the weekend's reading
Compose a very thoughtful sentence and post it in the comments for the rest of us to mull over...
It's interesting to see how Antonia is developing some of her mother's attributes in terms of her relationship with the Burdens; perhaps this resurfaces later in the book to stall any kind of relationship, romantic or otherwise, that she might have had with Jim. - Catherine
It seems like a pattern that bad things keep happening; if this is supposed to be a relaxing book about nature with no real plot, why is it all about sadness and death, as opposed to happiness and maybe romance?
We are introduced to a more mature Jim where the author leads to a possible romance between him and Ántonia, and we learn about darker feelings involving death and isolation. - Lena Capece
After the death of Mr. Shimerda, Jim and Antonia begin to grow apart which sets up their differences to be explored throughout the rest of the novel. -Hannah Breck
Despite the fact that Jim has shown curiosity and openness about the Shimerdas, their culture, and their religion, the strength of his ties with them, and especially Antonia, fluctuate, which leaves the possibility that more conflict and estrangement will take place later on in the novel. - Olga
It is very interesting how Antonia and Jims relationship begins to break after the death of her father, and it seems as though she has begun to isolate herself.
The sense of isolation brought on by the setting of the book truly begins to set in for the reader once Jim experiences his first winter, cut off even from his closest neighbors, the only other people currently in his life.
Although the bohemians are attempting to acclimate into American society, their strong sense of religion and piety reveals the dichotomy (and possible motif throughout the novel) between Eastern and Western cultures.
The isolation from the rest of American society is further shown, where people who Jim have rarely or never seen pass through from the far reaches of the neighborhood, any bit of news attracting their interest.
I find it interesting that Antonia is working increasingly more in the fields; this could potentially differentiate her from the gender specific roles held during that time period and help support a more independent character. Nina
This section of the novel further alludes to the distancing of Jim and Antonia's relationship after the death of Mr. Shimerda, and in Book II, we should see the transition in their relationship become increasingly dramatic and difficult for both characters. - Rohan Lewis
I really like the presence that willa cather gives to the characters of jake and otto as these two kind of tough but loving guys who simply works hard everyday
It is interesting how the seasons affect the mood of the story, because in winter a lot of bad things happen and at the beginning of spring in Chapter 17 the descriptions become much more optimistic and happy.
Jim and Antonia's relationship is very dependent on what is going on around them; the seasons, the actions of other characters, and not much about their own pure feelings. Perhaps this is because of their ages?
I feel that the constant dander and mentioning of death were all leading up to Mr. Shimerda death. The story of Peter and Pavel, Pavel's death, the giant snake, Jim getting sick. It seems like Cather wanted us to feel that someone was going to die for the last few chapters. Nigel
Lots of interesting thoughts--including a number I had never thought before. I like what Cody and Laina together arrive at: that the external world affects Jim and Antonia a lot, though I wonder if it's JUST Jim and Antonia, or if everybody is affected that way. --EC
Nigel gets at something interesting too: that perhaps the deck is thoroughly stacked by Cather herself, so that when the weather or the external world seems to be affecting Jim and Antonia, it could just be the heavy hand of the author.
From observing Jim and Antonia's relationship change, especially as they begin to grow apart, I am wondering what will happen in upcoming chapters that will bring them together...especially since Jim, narrating the story, seemed to think so highly and happily of Antonia in the introduction. -Elena Ridker
Isolation, is the name of the game, both Jim and Antonia, instead of reaching outward for help reach inside of themselves creating tension and conflict.
It is a little strange that Jim and Antonia grow apart instead of growing closer after the death of Mr. Shimerada because a dead parent is something they both have and that could potentially bring them closer. -Sydney Karnovsky
Once again the topic of God is brought up, whether this little slice of nature is of his domain or not.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see how Antonia is developing some of her mother's attributes in terms of her relationship with the Burdens; perhaps this resurfaces later in the book to stall any kind of relationship, romantic or otherwise, that she might have had with Jim.
ReplyDelete- Catherine
It seems like a pattern that bad things keep happening; if this is supposed to be a relaxing book about nature with no real plot, why is it all about sadness and death, as opposed to happiness and maybe romance?
ReplyDeleteWe are introduced to a more mature Jim where the author leads to a possible romance between him and Ántonia, and we learn about darker feelings involving death and isolation. - Lena Capece
ReplyDeleteJIm is precocious; extremly sensitive and culturally aware for a boy of his age and is very thoughtful when it comes to religion. - Amina
ReplyDeleteAfter the death of Mr. Shimerda, Jim and Antonia begin to grow apart which sets up their differences to be explored throughout the rest of the novel. -Hannah Breck
ReplyDeleteDespite the fact that Jim has shown curiosity and openness about the Shimerdas, their culture, and their religion, the strength of his ties with them, and especially Antonia, fluctuate, which leaves the possibility that more conflict and estrangement will take place later on in the novel. - Olga
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting how Antonia and Jims relationship begins to break after the death of her father, and it seems as though she has begun to isolate herself.
ReplyDeleteThe sense of isolation brought on by the setting of the book truly begins to set in for the reader once Jim experiences his first winter, cut off even from his closest neighbors, the only other people currently in his life.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the bohemians are attempting to acclimate into American society, their strong sense of religion and piety reveals the dichotomy (and possible motif throughout the novel) between Eastern and Western cultures.
ReplyDeleteThe isolation from the rest of American society is further shown, where people who Jim have rarely or never seen pass through from the far reaches of the neighborhood, any bit of news attracting their interest.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that Antonia is working increasingly more in the fields; this could potentially differentiate her from the gender specific roles held during that time period and help support a more independent character.
ReplyDeleteNina
This section of the novel further alludes to the distancing of Jim and Antonia's relationship after the death of Mr. Shimerda, and in Book II, we should see the transition in their relationship become increasingly dramatic and difficult for both characters. - Rohan Lewis
ReplyDeleteI really like the presence that willa cather gives to the characters of jake and otto as these two kind of tough but loving guys who simply works hard everyday
ReplyDeletenice punch jake
Andrew Chan
Cody Tipton Cody Tipton Cody Tipton Cody Tipton Cody Tipton
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how the seasons affect the mood of the story, because in winter a lot of bad things happen and at the beginning of spring in Chapter 17 the descriptions become much more optimistic and happy.
-Cody Tipton
Jim and Antonia's relationship is very dependent on what is going on around them; the seasons, the actions of other characters, and not much about their own pure feelings. Perhaps this is because of their ages?
ReplyDeleteI feel that the constant dander and mentioning of death were all leading up to Mr. Shimerda death. The story of Peter and Pavel, Pavel's death, the giant snake, Jim getting sick. It seems like Cather wanted us to feel that someone was going to die for the last few chapters.
ReplyDeleteNigel
Lots of interesting thoughts--including a number I had never thought before. I like what Cody and Laina together arrive at: that the external world affects Jim and Antonia a lot, though I wonder if it's JUST Jim and Antonia, or if everybody is affected that way. --EC
ReplyDeleteNigel gets at something interesting too: that perhaps the deck is thoroughly stacked by Cather herself, so that when the weather or the external world seems to be affecting Jim and Antonia, it could just be the heavy hand of the author.
ReplyDeleteFrom observing Jim and Antonia's relationship change, especially as they begin to grow apart, I am wondering what will happen in upcoming chapters that will bring them together...especially since Jim, narrating the story, seemed to think so highly and happily of Antonia in the introduction.
ReplyDelete-Elena Ridker
Isolation, is the name of the game, both Jim and Antonia, instead of reaching outward for help reach inside of themselves creating tension and conflict.
ReplyDeleteIt is a little strange that Jim and Antonia grow apart instead of growing closer after the death of Mr. Shimerada because a dead parent is something they both have and that could potentially bring them closer.
ReplyDelete-Sydney Karnovsky