My Antonia Feminist Analysis

Women in the early nineteenth century were viewed as the weaker sex and their only job was to take care of the domestic chores (wic). Women had to be delicate, well behave and well-polished. In Willa Cather’s book, “My Antonia”, Antonia is a bohemian immigrant who comes to America with her family to start a new life.She becomes close friends with a boy name Jim who helps her learn english and together they have adventures out in the prairie. Jim sees Antonia as a lovely girl but soon changes his views when Antonia begins to take on a more masculine role. Antonia’s character is unlike other women of her time, she is independent, strong-willed woman who has a passion for nature.
In “My Antonia” by Willa Cather, the Shimerda’s, the Bohemian family
Life in a new country took a toll on Mr. Shimerda, who commits suicide and leaves his family to take care for themselves. In early times the father and sons were the ones who took care of the family, but with her father being gone Antonia took it upon herself to help her brother Ambrosh with the farm. It was unlikely for girls to do a man’s job but in Antonia’s circumstances she had no choice. She says “I can work like mans now”. . . I help make this land one good farm” (Cather 52). Indicates that Antonia did not mind doing the job because it was the only way that her family could survive in the new country. Working on the farm creates a tougher woman out of Antonia, which Jim begins to
Hired girls were to respect the house in which they took care of and obey the head of the household. On the other hand, Antonia rejects orders from Mr. Harling, the head of the household whom Antonia is working for. Antonia along with the other hired girls start to go to the Vannis tent were dances were being held on the weekends. Mr. Harling dislikes the bad reputation Antonia is getting of being “free and easy” and orders her to stop going to the dances (Cather 83). However, Antonia refuses to stop going and instead quits her job. She says. “my own father couldn’t make me stop! Mr. Harling aint my boss outside of work” (Cather 83). Indicates that Antonia wants to live her life however she pleases and no one is going to stop her. It was uncommon for women back in the early days to disobey it gained them a bad reputation, but Antonia demonstrates to be a strong minded woman that knows what she