Student Question

How does Cather use seasons to symbolize human emotion and change in "My Antonia"?

Expert Answers

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It seems to me that in the novel, winter symbolizes the hardship and suffering Antonia's family survives.

However, when spring and summer arrive, new life comes to everyone, but especially to Antonia. And while I don't believe Jim ever truly learns the important lessons about life that he should, what he does know comes from time spent with Antonia, especially time with the land. Cather's use of gorgeous imagery to capture the sweeping plains of Nebraska is what strikes me first in the book. Is it any wonder that Antonia would feel the same passion for the land?

So when spring arrives, Antonia is reborn, seeing the world anew, so similar to her character who is as passionate about the land as she is about every other aspect of her life.

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