Sunday, August 22, 2010

My Antonia: Memories

The narrator, Jim Burden's, memories play a big part in My Antonia. The novel opens with Jim explaining to an old friend that he wrote down all of his memories with his friend Antonia. At first he titled the works "Antonia", but he soon changed it to "My Antonia". This change shows how special Antonia is to Jim.

Jim and Antonia have been friends since they were children living in the country in Nebraska. They stayed friends in their teenage years, and Jim even tried to kiss Antonia once. As Jim grew older and went to college they did not see each other as much. When Jim is in college he thinks of Antonia often. Jim visits Antonia after her first fiance runs away to Mexico. Jim promises that he will return again, and Antonia promises that she will never forget him.

Soon, Jim goes to law school and becomes a lawyer. He does not see Antonia for several years, but on the way home from a business trip, Jim visits Antonia and her family. After a little while, Jim and Antonia are talking like they are best friends again. They pick up right where they left off.

Throughout all the years that Jim does not see Antonia, he thinks of her often. Jim has a special place in his heart for her. He treasures the memories that they have together, and that is why he decides to write them down. A friendship like theirs is a very special and unique one.

It is also very cool for Jim and Antonia to be able to pick up their relationship right where they left off. I have been able to do that maybe once with a best friend from Florida. It is a very cool and awesome feeling to be able to keep a friendship going after not seeing each other for several years.

I think everyone should try to have a friendship like Jim and Antonia's. It would be really cool to be able to keep your friendship going for so long.

Along with Antonia, Jim also keeps the memory of Nebraska in his heart. He is always thinking back to Nebraska and the quiet beautiful plains.

1 comment:

  1. I agree with the fact Jim's memories are very important in the novel and it was a very well-writen book. The relationshiip between Jim and Anotina is what really sets the mood and the tone of the novel. Jim's memories through-out the whole plot amaze me, the detail put into scenes he remembers from his childhood.. remember he is writing this book as an adult after meeting the begining unknown narrator!! Which brings me to another thought.. who was the narrator? She had to have been one of the characters for them to know eachother and Antonia.. but yes, very good blog- I enjoyed all of your posts(:

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