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THE READERS' THREAD PAGES

MY ANTONIA

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I am drawn by the description of barenness and fullness of the Nebraskan prarie. Overwhelmed-Perhaps I feel the feelings of James Burden on his first impressions in Chapter one - overwhelmed

Marti

I am at an age, 54, where I often look back at some of the people I have known and recall how they impressed me. The introduction to "My Antonia" makes me look forward to the rest of the book. Great writing.

Best wishes,

Doug

Date sent: Thu, 09 Jan 1997 01:36:29 -0800
From: Rachel
To: arezis@mindport.net
Subject: Comments on Introduction to "My Antonia"

Marti, I'm with you! What an exuberant description and imagery!

Of course, I'm partial to descriptions of people and their relationship to the land. I was reminded of Michael Dorris' stirring descriptions of the Great Plains in his autobiographical writing ("The Broken Cord", "Paper Trail"), which described his great love for scenery that is too often written off as "boring". [excerpt edited for content by Aaron Ezis]

Anyway -- returning to "My Antonia". I was struck with how much the description of Genevieve stuck out in this opening narrative. I'm not sure if this was a deliberate decision, to show how Genevieve's presence was a constant irritant in the narrator's relationship with Jim (like a pebble in your shoe); if it was designed to create a strong impression, to last in the reader's mind through the upcoming chapters that (presumably) take place before Genevieve gets on the scene; or if I'm simply reading too much into one chapter in isolation.

I do wonder, though, at what struck me as a contradiction in the characterization of Jim. Throughout most of the chapter, Jim is described as impulsive and enthusiastic. Genevieve is described as seeming "unimpressonable and temperamentally incapable of enthusiasm." But this is immediately followed by "Her husband's quiet tastes irritate her, I think . . . " It didn't seem to me that Jim had quiet tastes at all. I'd take it as Genevieve's impression of Jim (quiet tastes compared to her cosmopolitan tastes), but somehow it read more as the narrator's opinion than Genevieve's, too me. Anyone else do a doubletake on that part? Am I misreading this?

Rachel

Date sent: Thu, 09 Jan 1997 20:51:08 +0000
From: Martha
To: arezis@mindport.net
Subject: Intro to My Antonia

After reading Rachel's comment's about the descriptions of Jim and Geneviere - I reread the introduction. On my first reading I presummed they were simply descriptions given to allow the reader suffient knowledge to allow the story to continue with a flow. Upon futher reflection I do understand how it may be more the narrator's take on their relationship. Especially since it was also clearly stated that Geneviere and the narrator do not get along.

Marti

From: "bearclan"
Subject: my antonia
Date sent: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 21:21:39 -0700

I look forward to my reading time every day, but I can see that this book is going to make me want to move it to earlier in the day. What a wonderful story. I am impressed that the descriptions are just long enough to give you a picture, but not so long as to make you want to skip paragraphs of scenery. I can see the red grass. I can feel the sun and wind. What a command of words, to be able to paint such a picture.

Date sent: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 03:37:50 -0800
From: Rachel
To: arezis@mindport.net
Subject: Comment on Chapter One

I admire the way that Willa Cather draws us into the story. As Jim heads off to new environs, we share with him the newness of the situation, and we discover the country and the people as he does. She takes the disadvantage of our not being familiar with her fictional situation and turns it into an advantage.

I just read chapter 8 -- The descriptions and the ability to drag every emotion of of the reader is incredable.

You know Martha, I envy you - I've never read My Antonia.

The readers picked it and I just don't have time!

But I have NEVER gotten feedback about any other book like MA.

I have received soooo many letters like yours - saying the author's ability to manipulate the readers emotions is magnificient. I will try to read this one.

Thank you for your visit to the page, and please come back often and tell all your friends on the net who are readers to come along with you ! :)

Regards, Aaron Ezis

At the end of this book I felt sad for Tim because I felt that he always kind of liked Antonia and at the end she got a whole new life and kind of just became only friends with him.

Alla

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Date sent: Sat, 08 Feb 1997 19:13:47 -0500
From: Brett
To: arezis@mindport.net
Subject: My Antonia

"Cutter would come home at noon, find the mutilated journal in the paper-rack, and triumphantly fit the clipping into the space from which it had been cut. Those two could quarrel all morning about whether he ought to put on his heavy or his light underwear, and all evening about whether he had taken cold or not."

When I read this, I chuckled and then wondered why. I realize that there is a paradox here...which brings depth. Did the narrator approve or disapprove of this couple's arguing? With just a few words, Cather says both! The couple argues about "underwear" and then we find out she is concerned about whether he catches cold. Maybe this is the same technique that leads our gentle reader, Rachael, to note "what struck [her] as a contradiction in the characterization of Jim".

Brett

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For some reason - I feel sorry for Jim. Not because he didn't get his dreams, but because he did.

Marti

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Maybe that is part of the point - that we are all a mass of contradictions.

The setting of the novel is a contradiction in itself. A barren land with whipping wind. That land feeds this nation and a number of others with staple foods.

The contradiction of Jim and Antonia - the understanding and attraction even though we always knew that thier lives were too diverse. Even within their characters are contradictions.

The contradiction of people's belief's in what the hired girls could accomplish and what their future would be and what it turns out to actually be.

Perhaps that is what makes this book universal is this theme. Are not we all bound by certain conventions yet we feel the unjustness of People's beliefs when we read about Antonia. But yet we don't buck them very often - because they are.

Marti

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From: Dgzmn6 (cesar)
Date sent: Sat, 21 Jun 1997 17:40:54 -0400
To: arezis@mindport.net
Subject: My Antonia

My main focus when reading the book was looking at all the changes and "growing up" that took place. It was very powerful.

Excellent book!
(cesar)

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