Willa Cather's Neighbor Rosicky
“Neighbor Rosicky” is a short story written by Willa Cather. As the story starts, the setting is In Dr. Burleigh’s office where he tells Rosicky, a sixty-five year old man that he had a bad heart. When asked if his heart was bar, Rosicky protest, “So! No, I guess my heart has always been pretty good.” (Litz, 1994, p 301). The plot of the story is, in essence, man verses mortality or death. Rosicky has had some ups and downs in his life but, he is happy and loves his land, family, and people in general. His has gone through he lives a comfortable life with his wife and five sons. The protagonist, Rosicky came from humble beginnings He had a great deal to remember, really;” (p. 310).
Rosicky had a crises in his youth where he knew hunger and
being dirty. “The only part of his youth he didn’t like to remember was the two years he had spent in London, in Cheapside, working for a German tailor who was wretchedly poor.” (p. 310). During this time, “working for a German tailor who was wretchedly poor.” (P. 310) he learned some valuable lifelong lessons. The two years was difficult. However he learned the value of money, food, stability, security and life in general. Nevertheless, there were happy times in his life,
He reminisced on a happy time when he was twenty. This time in his life started when, “He landed at Castle Garden in New York” (p. 310). He increased his work ethic and skills. He even bettered himself by going to school at night to learn English. He lived the good life and was happy. Nevertheless, there was something missing. From his reading and studying there was an interest in farming.
He was able to save his money and buy his own farm where he lived out the remainder of his life. He lived on this farm with his wife and his five sons. It is clear that Rosicky has his priorities straight, he loved his family and land. He was proud of his land and the fact that he was able to leave it to his family when he was gone. “To be a landless man was to be a wage-earner, a slave, all your life; to have nothing, to be nothing.” (P. 315). The climax is when Rosicky died.
In conclusion, Rosicky lived a good life and passes a great legacy to his children. His life was not always easy but he made the most of it and took every opportunity to learn. He was a wonderful neighbor, husband, father, and friend. In his death, he left his children the land he owned but so much more. No, he did not leave them a fortune but he left them love and stability.
Rosicky had a crises in his youth where he knew hunger and
being dirty. “The only part of his youth he didn’t like to remember was the two years he had spent in London, in Cheapside, working for a German tailor who was wretchedly poor.” (p. 310). During this time, “working for a German tailor who was wretchedly poor.” (P. 310) he learned some valuable lifelong lessons. The two years was difficult. However he learned the value of money, food, stability, security and life in general. Nevertheless, there were happy times in his life,
He reminisced on a happy time when he was twenty. This time in his life started when, “He landed at Castle Garden in New York” (p. 310). He increased his work ethic and skills. He even bettered himself by going to school at night to learn English. He lived the good life and was happy. Nevertheless, there was something missing. From his reading and studying there was an interest in farming.
He was able to save his money and buy his own farm where he lived out the remainder of his life. He lived on this farm with his wife and his five sons. It is clear that Rosicky has his priorities straight, he loved his family and land. He was proud of his land and the fact that he was able to leave it to his family when he was gone. “To be a landless man was to be a wage-earner, a slave, all your life; to have nothing, to be nothing.” (P. 315). The climax is when Rosicky died.
In conclusion, Rosicky lived a good life and passes a great legacy to his children. His life was not always easy but he made the most of it and took every opportunity to learn. He was a wonderful neighbor, husband, father, and friend. In his death, he left his children the land he owned but so much more. No, he did not leave them a fortune but he left them love and stability.