My Antonia Research Paper

In the novel "My Antonia" by Willa Cather, Lena Lingard, a former hired girl, is Jim's friend and sweetheart. Her free spirit often attracts men, leaving her and them in bad situations. When Jim goes to Lincoln to study, Lena and Jim's paths cross again, and they experience life together. Jim's unique love for Lena helps him transition out of his childhood.

In Antonia, love can change many things. The feeling and experience of Love is wanted by many. This is demonstrated in Lena's view on men. “It makes them feel important to think they're in love with somebody.” Men experience this because of Lena. Jim also begins to feel this way, showing how he is beginning to love Lena again, like he did in his childhood. Jim's feelings of importance caused by his love for Lena lead him in a mature direction, leading him …show more content…
Antonia brought Jim out of a sad and melancholy part of his early life, and they experienced childhood innocence together. But as Antonia got older, their relationship changed. Lena brought Jim out of his boring life, consistently studying. he still had the mindset of his childhood and his life in Blackhawk." she's sort of innocent"(201) depicting their relationship. Antonia stayed in their childhood innocence while Lena was open to new experiences and changes. Lena's talk always amused me. Antonia had never talked to the people about her. Even after she learned to speak English readily, there was still always something impulsive and foreign in her speech. but Lena had picked up all the conversational expressions she heard at Mrs Turner's dress-making shop.” This shows how Antonia stayed in the past,not adapting or changing.In contrast, Lena moved forward with her situation and environment, taking on new opportunities like moving to Lincoln. She helped Jim transition out of his

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