Abstract The paper introduces Willa Cather, who lived in Nebraska in the late 1800s, as having a writing style that was a fresh, new approach to the American experience. The paper reviews her book, "O Pioneers", which is a personification of the Bergson family's life on the frontier. The author concludes that Cather used intense detail to project the main theme, man pitted against nature.
From the Paper "Alexandra emerged rather quickly as the protagonist of the novel, and evolved into a female heroine. One of the most dominant characters however, wasn?t human at all. The land itself was the greatest enemy that Alexandra faced at times. Their relationship was symbolic of the overall theme of the "grand struggle" that existed between humanity and forces out of human control. Alexandra tried to control the land, and tried to exert her wishes upon the land, but the land was bending her at the same time."
Abstract This paper looks at a range of Cather's short stories and novels that show that there are certain common characteristics in her works. These include common themes, common settings, common characters, and a common writing style. The paper looks at each of these features, utilizing various examples of Cather's work, including: "A Lost Lady"; "Lucy Gayheart"; "My Antonia"; "O! Pioneers"; "The Song of the Lark"; and "The Troll Garden".
From the Paper "One of Cather's common themes is based on the struggle of women, with Cather often presented undervalued, but heroic female characters. This is seen in the novel A Lost Lady, which details the life of Marian Forrester. Marian is married to an older man and they live in a small Midwestern town. Initially, it is seen that Marian is not well-respected by her husband and really only seen as a trophy wife. Marian proves her worth as a wife when her husband becomes ill, where she continues to take care of him. At the same time, Marian is not presented as a perfect woman, as she does begin having an affair because her husband is not capable of meeting her needs."
Abstract This paper discusses how the idea of the danger of the traditionally romanticized artistic process, of artist living apart from the world in enslavement to the muse, runs through many of Cather's short stories. It looks at how, in three of her short works, a protagonist whose intellect or ability distances him from society has a featured role, whether it be academic, as in ?The Muse,? or the power of portraiture, as in "The Portrait", or knowledge of art, as in "The Namesake". It also shows, however, her 1905 short story, "Paul's Case: A Study in Temperament", does exactly the opposite and looks at how, rather than sympathize with the young man, Cather portrays him as a self-fixated, indulgent individual more interested in the luxurious and false trappings of art than the true hard work of creating real art.
From the Paper "The subtitle of "Paul's Case" is "a study in temperament" because this enables Cather as an author to diagnose the young man's aspirations like a doctor rather than idealizing his yearnings for beauty. In fact, Cather once contemplated becoming a doctor herself, before turning to writing after being educated in the decidedly non-Eastern, non-urban local of The University of Nebraska. (Ahern, 2003) The idea of Paul as a medical "case" also suggests that he is a psychological case study of something gone wrong, a warning rather than an object of pity, much less identification in the mind of the reader."
Abstract This paper explains that the protagonist in Willa Cather's 'O Pioneers!' is a woman, Swedish by birth, who worked her land up to rich production and brought prosperity to her whole family; for the time the novel was written, this was somewhat out of the ordinary. The author is impressed by the way Cather set the mood in her story by beginning with a Great Plains winter scene as the backdrop to the struggle of the Borgson family, which was going to lose their father no matter what anyone did. The paper stresses that, in the time and place O Pioneers! was written, a father was the one with the power, not the mother, and the attitudes expressed by the brothers also provide a clear denunciation of patriarchy.
From the Paper "Perhaps in our time it is difficult to imagine that people would actually just do what they were told by a dying father but that was the world of late Victorian America and I believe that in setting the story as she did, the case can be made that Cather did criticize patriarchy. She made it very plain. If the father had not commanded, the brothers would have been in charge and Alexandra's fine capabilities would have been relegated to the kitchen. As the story progresses it isn't hard to see what would have happened to the family farm if the brothers had been running things. They are not only easily discouraged, but time and again it is shown that they just plain don't have Alexandra's ability to look at a situation and see a creative, positive way to deal with it. She not only keeps the original homestead, but as others in the areas do give up under drought and other challenges, she mortgages the home farm to buy these places as well."
Abstract This paper analyzes Willa Cather's novel "My Antonia" with an emphasis on gender roles and the novel's autobiographical relationship to its author. The paper also focuses on Cather's immigrant experience as reflected in this work. Also discussed are the different cultures existing in the American West at the time and how they interacted with one another. The paper concludes by citing Antonia's character as an example of both immigrant and female endurance who was able to ultimately achieve the "American Dream".
From the Paper " Antonia's struggle and eventual triumph over her early circumstances also vividly underscores the American truth of immigrant hardship; endurance; and (in some cases though not others, e.g., Antonia's own father) eventual success in America. In addition, while Jim moves away in order to pursue the "American Dream", Antonia, in her seemingly more circuitous journey toward it, stays in Nebraska. Jim first loses himself in New York in order to find himself again in Nebraska, Antonia in Nebraska alone: through endurance; hard work, and struggle to make a life. Further, Antonia and Jim, despite coming from different backgrounds and places in the American social hierarchy become friends. But subsequently they grow apart, meeting again in Nebraska only 20 years later. Jim becomes a lawyer and pursues the "American Dream" of big city life and financial success. Yet ultimately he finds it hollow. Antonia, on the other hand, marries a Czech farmer and together they make their farm and family life flourish."
Abstract This paper examines the book, "Paul's Case", by Willa Cather. According to the paper, the environment in the story strongly influences the behavior of Paul, the main character, and his lack of interest in his surroundings. The paper further discusses Paul's need to escape from reality.
From the Paper "Paul was living on Cordelia Street and the feelings he describes upon returning home make it clear that he didn't like his home. Cordelia Street always held "the hopeless feeling of sinking back forever into ugliness and commonness that he had always had when he came home" (71). But why didn't he like his home? It wasn't the money or poverty but lack of essential love in his life that caused him to become a recluse and make him feel "repulsion for the flavorless, colorless mass of everyday existence" (71). The only way he could make up for the lack of love in life was to do something that was totally new and totally exciting. That is why he loves life in New York which represents a new environment and thus a new life for him. It is there that "He grew more and more vivacious and animated and the color came back to his cheeks and lips" (70). We notice that New York was beautiful not because it was a nice place but because it was new. Everything that he wanted to experience, he could experience now. The love of art that he had inherited from his mother turned alive once again and he was a totally new person in these new surroundings. "
Abstract This paper summarizes the life of one of America's greatest authors, Willa Cather. It explains how a move to the prairie as a child and her subsequent period of growing to adulthood on the prairie were extremely influential in her later life and writing. The paper then discusses two of Cather's most famous novels, both which tell of life on the prairie - "O, Pioneer!" and "My Antonia." The paper examines how Cather's lesbianism might have influenced her work, as well as the central part 'place' plays in her novels.
From the Paper "Indeed, however, Cather also often spoke of the importance of the ability of the artist to place herself in a supportive community, and it would be easy to see that, while by living in New York she was divorced from the golden memories of her childhood, she was nonetheless able to find a creative environment in which people were more open and accepting of her creative endeavors. Regardless, place is the prime factor in these novels, which very much established Cather's reputation as one of America's greatest writers of all time, and, whether or not it is fair, since she wrote so many novels on other subjects as well, it is for these novels about the Nebraska prairie that she is most well-regarded. Perhaps this is because these prairie novels seem the most uniquely American since they describe a specific time in place in the development of America as it moved from an expanding country that constantly pushed its own frontiers outward into one of the most powerful and impressive nations upon earth. In this way, Cather's novels are now of profound historical interest, because they act as a sort of historical document, capturing one of the most interesting areas in America at a crucial time in its historical development."
Abstract Nineteenth and 20th century American women have, through the years, evolved from being simple mothers, wives, and daughters to being women of true substance; that is, women who gained autonomy despite the stereotypes and stigmas given them by their society. This paper discusses how the novels, "Quicksand" by Nella Larsen, "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin, and "My Antonia" by Willa Cather, explore the issue on how womanhood and motherhood are confronted by the lead female characters and how their chosen lives led either to their downfall or success in life. The analyses of women characters in the novels show how Larsen, Chopin, and Cather have differing perspectives in confronting issues about women during their time. Larsen equates freedom among women with freedom from the responsibilities of motherhood, while Cather presents a contradicting view, asserting happiness within the individual as the true measure of a woman's freedom in the 20th century American society.
From the Paper "While advocating for women empowerment and freedom, Cather takes into account the value and importance of family and social interaction of women with society. Choosing the life of a mother, wife, and pioneer woman, Antonia embodies the woman of her period in a more realistic setting and situation, where contentment is achieved not through detachment from the family and society, but by integrating oneself and attaining harmonious relationships among people."
Abstract An analysis of "A Lost Lady" by Willa Cathers that elucidates the mythic attributes to manifest Destiny in the early pioneers of America. By showing the realities of pioneer life, we can see how Cather portrays a grim notion of survival in the move to colonize the west.
Abstract An analysis of A Lost Lady by Willa Cathers that elucidates the mythic attributes to manifest Destiny in the early pioneers of America. By showing the realities of pioneer life, we can see how Cather portrays a grim notion of survival in the move to colonize the west.
Abstract This paper looks at how Alexandra Bergson, the main character of Willa Cather's "O Pioneers!", is portrayed as a pastoral heroine. She essentially takes on nontraditional gender roles as she performs and acts like a strong and independent woman. During the time period of the novel, this was unheard of and would be considered behavior appropriate for a man. The paper supports its thesis by using quotes from Willa Cather's "O Pioneers!" and two other sources.
From the Paper "Carl's decision to come back to Nebraska illustrates his rejection of the scripted male practice of traveling around the country in order to make more money. He ultimately realizes that he belongs with Alexandra, as he settles down to start a new life with her. Arguably, this creates a certain type of role reversal, as the younger, sensitive and uncertain Carl comes back to Alexandra's confident and stable arms. The conventional ending to this story would have entailed Alexandra relying on Carl as the 'man of the house,' but this is not the case. Carl's genuine feelings can be summed up as Alexandra does not belong to him but that she belongs ?to the land [?] now more than ever.? (Cather 307) Cather ends the novel putting both Alexandra and Carl on the same level ..."
Abstract The paper explains that Willa Cather tells the story of the fall from grace of a lady to a railroad pioneer in the age of westward expansion. The paper describes the story, discussing its main themes. The paper discusses the parallels between the central female character in this story and the fall of the western frontier to the railroads and modernization. In conclusion, the writer states that Cather's story can be read as a 1920s version of Genesis, in the Bible, where Eve in her innocence and purity falls from grace through the temptations of the devil. The writer states that this is a theme and lesson that is universal in human life and is the main theme that makes this novel appeal to readers.
From the Paper "Neil Herbert, the nephew of Judge Pommeroy, is the central character through whose eyes we see most of the story, visits the Forrester's place during the summer to fish with a group of his young friends. Neil is polite even at the age of 12, and asks for permission to use the Forrester's grounds, which Mrs. Forrester of course grants. In addition to this, she has her cook bake the boys a batch of cookies for their lunch, demonstrating her kindness and generosity. In this opening scene we also meet "Poison" Ivy Peters who later in life contributes to the fall of Mrs. Forrester. Peters is nineteen and hunts without permission of the Forrester's land. Peters and Neil are at once antagonists to each other since the two had met. Along the marshes where the boys are fishing, Ivy Peters shows an omen of what he is to become. He robs a woodpecker, a female, of her vision out of sheer cruelty. This foreshadows what he will do to Mrs. Forrester. Like the woodpecker we see at the beginning, Mrs. Forrester leads a life carefree to her environment and those who surround her. Ivy Peters as a lawyer in his adulthood, in some sense takes away her vision of life, destroying her sight and bringing about her blind madness. He robs Mrs. Forrester not only of her dignity, but Neil's cherished childhood memories of beauty and dignified life. In his youth at age 12, Neil tries to put the blinded woodpecker "out of its misery". His pity and attempt at saving the woodpecker from a miserable existence fails when he falls and breaks his arm. Later in life as a young man, he tries to save Mrs. Forrester from her blind existence and in so doing also falls as his vision of a great lady is tarnished by her affairs with Ivy Peters."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses Willa Cather's "Death Comes for the Archbishop". The writer explains that the book depicts the life journey of Father Latour as he is assigned to serve as the Catholic bishop in the New Mexico territory after it is annexed by the United States. The writer points out that starting with the prologue, Cather makes clear that setting will play a critical role in the story and that one must look at New Mexico as a setting in terms of both geography and morality. The writer notes that as three cardinals first discuss the need to assign a bishop to the New Mexico territory, the reader is given a glimpse at the geographic and moral challenges Latour will face. The writer concludes that in the end, Latour successfully confronts inhospitable natural and moral settings and, in finding a way to succeed in these environments, reveals himself as an exceptional character.
Outline:
The Archbishop vs. Nature
Overcoming a Difficult Moral Setting
Conclusion
From the Paper "Latour's pending greatness is further demonstrated when he is not accepted in Santa Fe and must travel to Durango, Mexico - 1,500 miles each way - to obtain confirmation from the Bishop of Durango that he does, indeed, now have religious authority over the New Mexico territory. The reader is left to consider how easy it would be for Latour to turn around and leave this new assignment that has caused him nothing but sorrow. But, instead, Latour mounts a horse and makes the trip to Durango through dry, barren country. We are beginning to see the development of a character whose personality, imagination and faith are strong enough to withstand the most difficult of challenges. Latour, only a year removed from the relative comforts of Ohio, has become an improviser - a man who overcomes hardships as they are presented."
Abstract This paper discusses how to teach students the critical impact that a setting holds within a story. The paper does this by analyzing two traditional picks for the high school classroom, Tennessee William's "The Glass Menagerie" and Willa Cather's "My Antonia". Both of these works require an in-depth understanding of the setting in order for students to grasp the full situations within the story.
This paper analyzes two aspects for each work. The first is looking at the eminent connection the setting has to the plot for each creation. The second is constructing a basic plan as to how to help students visualize the setting and how it effects the character's action within the piece.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Story Setting
Tennessee William's "The Glass Menagerie"
"My Antonia" by Willa Cather Conclusion
Appendix: Website to Aide Setting Comprehension in "The Glass Menagerie"
From the Paper "The third layer of the setting for students to consider is the fact that "The Glass Menagerie" is a play meant to be performed on the stage. Drama invites a creative collaboration with the playwright as the student enters imaginative worlds created by scenery, lighting, costumes, make-up, gestures, and dialogue. In this play student not only come in contact with traditional dramatic aspects, but also with Williams creative play writing touches. For example, throughout the play reference is frequently given to the screen that is meant "to give accent to certain values in each scene.""
Tags: frontier, dramatic references memory, time period, mind-set
Abstract This paper presents an analysis of Paul's character in Willa Cather's "Paul's Case" by focusing on three of his attributes: 1) his tendency to be very self-oriented and separated from the others around him 2) his over-concern for all things that glitter and 3) his damaged psyche.
From the Paper "In Willa Cather's story "Paul's Case", the character Paul embodied the Calvinist household in which he was raised in. Paul is a very self-oriented and introverted boy whose every action is designed and calculated to prevent others from seeing the real him. Paul is also a person who is overly concerned with money, wealth, and glamour; all which he believes will take him to the top and get him off Cordelia Street, which he despises with a passion. Paul is also under all of his mental armor, is scared, scarred and mentally damaged by his father and by his teachers so much that he can no longer go on living."
