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How Does My Antonia Characterize Immigrants

1665 Words7 Pages

My Antonia, written by Willa Cather, is a novel about the childhood and life of Jim Burden and his relationship with his close friend, Antonia Shimerda, who was a Bohemian immigrant. Willa Cather’s meaningful life began on December 7, 1873 and ended on April 24, 1947. Miss Cather enjoyed popular and critical success. Her novels and writings are widely known, accepted, and loved. Featuring strong female characters in her novels is what she did best. Even more specific, these female characters typically contended with the Midwest and were inspired by people she met in her youth. As many know, My Antonia is about Antonia Shimerda and her family’s journey west. Willa Cather’s name is associated with the pioneering spirit of the West. Young …show more content…

Immigrants were moving to America from countries, such as: Bohemia, Austria, Sweden, and Russia. Many immigrants saw America as the “land of opportunity” and most people did absolutely anything they could to snatch a piece of that opportunity. During the 1800s and 1900s, many immigrants faced prejudice in the American West. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Americans were very concerned with the increase in immigration. So much so, that Congress ended up passing The Emergency Quota Act of 1921. This act would limit the number of immigrants from other countries, particularly those from southern Europe. Another idea that was key during this time period was the idea of Manifest Destiny. America was somehow divinely mandated to expand across the continent to the Pacific, according to Manifest Destiny. The expansion was crucial, according to this idea. My Antonia begins with Jim Burden journeying west to Nebraska. This is the very essence of Manifest Destiny. As Jim continues to travel the harsh, yet rewarding, journey, he notices that the earth is seemingly raw and untouched. Jim is seeing this new land in the eyes of Manifest Destiny, as did many young men in that

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