My Antonia Summary

The novel, My Antonia, begins with Jim Burden, who is a New York City Lawyer. He gives a friend his journal of his Nebraska childhood. It is in the form of memories from a friend, Ántonia Shimerda. Jim starts his story in Nebraska when he was 10 years old. He had arrived to live with his grandparents after his parents die in Virginia. Jim first sees the Shimerdas on his trip towards Nebraska. They are a Bohemian immigrant family who were on the same train. When he arrives, he discovers that the Shimerdas have taken up residence in farm adjoining his grandparents. Jim becomes quick friends Ántonia; the Shimerdas around his age who has a passion to learn English. Jim decides to tutor Ántonia in her English teachings. Most of their time together is spent in the hills enjoying each other’s company. However, the mood shifts with the suicide of Mr. Shimerda. The Burdens find it difficult to connect with the Shimerdas, but try to be helpful as they can. As a result of the suicide, Ántonia and Jim find that they cannot stand each other. Several years after the suicide, the Burdens move to town. By chance, Ántonia becomes a maid to the family next door to the Burden’s, the Harlings. Jim
After discovering Ántonia’s situation, he decides to visit her in the country side. He makes her a promise that he will visit her again, eventually. The next time Jim sees Antonia, twenty years have passed. Jim is now a successful lawyer in New York. Ántonia has married a man named Cuzak, a man of Boehmian decent. Cuzak and Antonia have many children. Jim’s visit to farm is a joyous. Ántonia and Jim revitalize a once strong friendship. Before he leaves, Jim tells Antonia he will keep in touch. Before returning to New York, he visits his childhood abode. He finds tranquility in the familiar setting and is able to look back on his life, and discovers just how much Antonia has meant to