Evaluating The Writings of Willa Cather.

Willa Cather, in her novel My Antonia, offers her view of life during the pioneer time.

 If her novel was written from Antonia's perspective instead of Jim's, the reader would have comprehended a completely different concept. The reader would have only known how Antonia felt, and would not have been given a chance to see her from another persons perspective. The reader would most likely be more empathetic for Antonia if it was written from her point of view; by feeling sorrow for her when she lost her father and when she had to work like a man in the fields to provide for her family. Jim's view only touched on the subject of Antonia's fathers death, because he did not feel that tragedy first hand. Antonia was Bohemian, therefore, if it was written from her view the dialogue would have been completely different. The conversations would have been held with a hint of Bohemian accent, which would have had a major effect on how much the reader comprehended.

Willa Cather, being a woman writing from a man's point of view, did a fairly decent job. If I had not known that the author was a woman, I would have assumed that the novel was written by a man. On the contrary though, sometimes I did not feel I was connected to Jim as the narrator. He sometimes seemed sporadic and discorded as a character. If the novel had been written by a man, Jim's character would have been more "manly." For example, at times Jim handled certain situations as a woman would. That is not particularly bad, because maybe that is how Jim really was. Over all, Cather completed her task very well, and made Jim's character believable to any reader.

Jim and Antonia always seemed to have a deeper love for each other than merely a friendship. Throughout the entire novel, dramatic irony was proven. The reader could infer that both characters cared for each other, even though their feelings were never openly revealed to each other. Jim always wanted to be with Antonia and spend time with her. He considered her to be someone more than a forever, childhood friend, but a very special person that he kept close to his heart, even though she later married a Bohemian man.

The dramatic, unpredictable story of My Antonia is a classic tale of hardships and striving to overcome them. The novel demonstrates the importance of having dependable people around to help in a time of need, to comfort and care throughout any situation.

The Effects of Setting

Chunk #1:

The setting had a crucial effect on all the characters, but specifically Antonia.  She moved from the country, where she worked hard on the farm providing for her family like a father, to the city where she had more opportunity to do things as she pleased than follow the rules and social regulations like other city girls. "The country girls were considered a menace to the social order. Their beauty shone out too boldly against a conventional background."  With Antonia working now in the city it effected the amount of time she spent with Jim. Now she was able to be with him more often than when she lived in the country.

Chunk #2:

I live on a vast, living farm around 140 acres with hills and valleys good for hunting, fishing, and living as most country girls do. The advantage I have over most families is I somewhat live a double life. I have to farm to get muddy in, to act like an old cowgirl would, herding and raising cattle. On the contrary, I live minutes from the city of Batesville, or the lack there of, but furthermore get to experience the life of the city. Whether its going shopping, participating in "social" events, or riding around with my friends, I love living a somewhat double life. If I simply "get tired" of living one life, I automatically have the other to lean on.

Argument Paragraph:

My Claim:

• Volleyball should be practiced during the school day, just like other sports.

Reason 1:

• Football and basketball are two "big" sports that are practiced during the school day, which gives the athletes an advantage over other athletes of different sports.
• Commentary 1: Volleyball for one, is practiced after school when football and basketball are let out. This gives the volleyball team a disadvantage. It makes it more difficult to get homework done with the decreased amount of time after school.
• Commentary 2: Another advantage that football and basketball have is that they are included as an elective. Players of different sports that do not practice during the school day choose a different elective, plus have to practice their sports on their own time.

Reason 2:

• It's common sence that the athleltes who practice after school have less energy than those who practice during the day. I mean, can you think of anyone that has more energy after school than during school? For me, after school I am honestly thinking naptime, not workout time.
• Commentary 1: Athletes that practice during the day only have around 6 hours of study and 2 hours of practice, equaling a total of 8 hours.
• Commentary 2: Athletes who practice after school spend anywhere from 2-2 1/2 more hours at school than the average student. That totals around 10 1/2 hours every day! Valley View, a rival school of the BHS volleyball team, wins state almost every year. They practice during the school day all year round. I believe this has a major affect on their teams notable success.

Opposing Claims:

• Volleyball is not as popular of a sport as football or basketball, so I believe that the class periods should stay as they are in order to keep main programs going as they always have.

My Rebuttal:

• Although given the valid point and not wanting to take away from the main programs, i have to disagree that the sports that practice out side of school should continue that way. These sports have not been given a chance and athletes are "becoming very overwhelmed" with the amount of school work and sports added together.

My Paragraph:

Volleyball should be practiced during the school day, just like other sports. Football and basketball are two "big" sports that are practiced during the school day, which gives the athletes an advantage over other athletes of different sports. Volleyball for one, is practiced after school when football and basketball are let out. This gives the volleyball team a disadvantage. It makes it more difficult to get homework done with the decreased amount of time after school. Another advantage that football and basketball have is that they are included as an elective. Players of different sports that do not practice during the school day choose a different elective, plus have to practice their sports on their own time. It's common sence that the athleltes who practice after school have less energy than those who practice during the day. I mean, can you think of anyone that has more energy after school than during school? For me, after school I am honestly thinking naptime, not workout time. Athletes that practice during the day only have around 6 hours of study and 2 hours of practice, equaling a total of 8 hours. Athletes who practice after school spend anywhere from 2-2 1/2 more hours at school than the average student. That totals around 10 1/2 hours every day! Valley View, a rival school of the BHS volleyball team, wins state almost every year. They practice during the school day all year round. I believe this has a major affect on their teams notable success. Volleyball is not as popular of a sport as football or basketball, so I believe that the class periods should stay as they are in order to keep main programs going as they always have. Although given the valid point and not wanting to take away from the main programs, i have to disagree that the sports that practice out side of school should continue that way. These sports have not been given a chance and athletes are "becoming very overwhelmed" with the amount of school work and sports added together. Therefore, sports should be given equal opprotunities.

My Thinking:

This paragraph is mainly Inductive because it is soley based on opinion and some facts.

Source:

http://www.planetberries.com/high-school-practice-hours.html