Conflicts start to arise between the characters in this section of chapters. It begins with the Russian pair that have become close friends with Mr. Shimerda. They explain that they are in America because they were a part of a tragic accident involving wolves, and they received so much shame from their community that they had to leave. Peter and Pavel, the Russians, go through injuries and tough times and are both eventually eliminated from the novel. By choosing to do this, Willa Cather caused quite a stir between the characters. Mr. Shimerda becomes very upset, and I feel bad for him because he has lost the only people he could relate to in this country. The reader can start to see a shift in his attitude in this chapter, and it makes you wonder what will come about for this unhappy man.
The Burden family continues to show great generosity towards the Shimerda family and even has to disregard their comments at times. Grandma offers them food when theirs is getting low or rotten, and Jimmy shares his clothing with the kids when they weren't prepared for winter, which in return gets him sick. The Burden's continue to live unselfishly and offering anything they can for the Shimerdas. Judging by Mrs. Shimerda's reaction, she is very appreciative of what the Burden's do for them. "The poor woman broke down. She dropped on the floor beside her crazy son, hid her face on her knees, and sat crying bitterly (Cather 48)." However, after all the kindness that Grandma has showed them, Mrs. Shimerda has the ability to enter the Burden home and disrespect them. She witnesses all they have and comments upon it in a rude manner. She was described as being "a conceited, boastful old thing, and even misfortune could not humble her (Cather 57)." It sounds as if Mrs. Shimerda is calling Grandma spoiled and unworthy of her belongings. I have had friends like this in the past who are easily jealous of the things you have that they don't. It can be very uncomfortable to be around people, but, like Grandma did, you just have to be respectful of them and not make any nasty comments.
[Bibliograpy]
Cather, Willa. My Antonia. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2004. Print.
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