My Antonia - Examining the Relationship Between Jim and Antonia

The relationship between Jim Burden and Antonia Shimerda is very special. They share a closeness that proves to withstand the tests of time. Even after years went by and their lives had changed considerably, Jim and Antonia had a loyal, beautiful friendship.

They met as youngsters, embarking on a new adventure, a new life in the West. Jim was the person that first taught Antonia the English language. She admired Jim's knowledge and talents. As time went by, Antonia began to treat Jim as she did the children she watched over. Many times Jim's feelings were hurt by such behavior. Though she held a great affection for him, it seemed to be more of a brotherly love. It was obvious that Jim loved Antonia in a way that was not to be reciprocated. Antonia always had a deep love and respect for Jim; it was just not in the way he wished it were.

As the memories detailed in the book show, both Antonia and Jim thought of each other almost daily throughout their lives. They told other, family and friends, all about their childhood friend that had meant so much to them. Their early days in Nebraska were always an important point of reflection for them both. They looked back on these years with great fondness, both for the good and bad times. It seemed that nearly every childhood memory reminisced by either Jim or Antonia always included the other.

As the two grew older, they began to take different paths in life. Jim never had to quit school and was able to continue his studies. Being such a good student, Jim was also given the opportunity of traveling abroad to work with the best instructors. Antonia, on the other hand, faced many troubles within her family. She did not get to go to school and relied on Jim to help her learn the important things. Her father's suicide left Antonia with many responsibilities. She had "to do the work of men" to maintain the family farm. She did, at one point, move into Black Hawk to pursue domestic work, but eventually she returned to country life. Antonia had a much harder life than Jim did.

By the end of the book, Jim had become a successful legal counselor in New York. Antonia had remained in Nebraska's farmlands, now happily married and the mother of a large family. Each had a life they were content with, although they both seemed to have gone in opposite directions. Even though Antonia had endured a rough life that left her "a stalwart, brown woman, flat-chested…[with] hair a little grizzled", Jim still sees, within her eyes, the same vibrant young woman he had kept in his heart for years.

I felt that the ending was nice; though I do wish Antonia's life had been happier and provided much more for her. I think that Jim's unannounced appearance after a twenty-year absence proved the depth of his affections. I also feel that Antonia's immediate warm welcoming of him shows her inner feelings. Through the plans Jim made with Antonia's children we know that he will return to them again. It is nice to think of Jim now creating wonderful memories with Antonia's family, creating with them a bond that could prove to be as strong as the one he shared with Antonia.