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.