When Willa Cather's editor first read the manuscript of My Ántonia, he experienced "the most thrilling shock of recognition of the real thing" he had ever felt. Few books pack so much vibrantly genuine life into their pages as this classic novel of the American immigrant experience. My Ántonia teems with romance, violence, tenderness, cruelty, comedy, and tragedy—all bustling side by side in a narrative at once compassionate and gripping.
-------from NEA Reader’s Guide[go here]
Each reader of Cather's great novel will find their own personal "shock of recognition." Perhaps it will be a shock of disagreement or puzzlement--"romance, violence, tenderness, cruelty, comedy, and tragedy" covers as much emotional ground as the Great Plains setting for this novel covers real estate. In other words, plenty of space for discussion of the interesting characters created, knotty issues raised and haunting story Cather creates.
Please tell your reader friends about this blog. All comments are welcome.
Here is how to post a comment. Click on "[number of] COMMENTS." When you click on "[number of] COMMENTS," you should see comments you and others have posted. You should see a blank box for the posting of your message. Post your comments, ideas, questions in the blank screen box and then hit "Post Comment." Note: You will be asked for a "Comment as: Profile" designation. Use the designation which works for you. I have entered two test comments. One under "Anonymous" and one under "garyd." (Ignore "Subscribe to: Posts (Atom" unless you know what it is all about. I don't.)
All of Black Hawk, Nebraska, is anxious to hear your thoughts on My Antonia.
This is a test to see if the Comment feature of this blog is working. This test was approved by Willa Cather. Under the "Select profile . . ." listing, I have chosen "Anonymous." (You may choose from the choices available.) My choice was approved by Willa Cather and yours will be as well.
ReplyDeleteI am posting this second test comment to make certain it is working correctly. I have chosen to "Comment as:" "garyd" in this test. I entered "garyd" by entering this in the "Name/URL" space in the "Comment as:" listings.
ReplyDeleteWilla Cather is getting very confused. I'm sure most will not.
I am interested in the death of Mr. Shimerda - why is the there a question on whether it was suicide or murder? What does this add? Can't find any comments other than it was assumed to be a suicide in the literature.
ReplyDeleteChris. Thanks for the good question. I'll post it as a separate entry.
ReplyDeleteTo all: When you post a Comment and you are asked to "Select profile," if you choose "Name/URL" you need only enter a Name.
I think Jim Burden's marriage is interesting. Not much is said about his wife, but she is described as a "restless, headstrong girl." And on the same page (page 2) we hear about Jim's quiet tastes. It is not a happy marriage. Had Jim married Antonia, would their marriage have been happy? Did Jim look for some of the same qualities in his wife that he respected in Antonia?
ReplyDelete