How Does Mr Shimerda's Death Affect My Antonia

Leila Alvarado
Period: 3 My Antonia
It is true that in the novel, My Antonia book 1, the death of Mr. Shimerda has a profound effect on Antonia. Not only does it have an effect on Antonia but as well as her bother and even Jim Burden.
The death of Mr. Shimerda is a tragic one seeing as he killed himself. Leading up to his death, Mr. Shimerda was very depressed living on the prairie. He longed to be back in his old country where he was an honorable man, a tailor and even a violinist. He had enough money to support his family and be happy. Living on the prairie brought him loneliness and suffering. He thoroughly enjoys his time with the Russians because they bring back memories of eastern Europe. Soon one of his friends dies and the other leaves which leaves Mr. Shimerda alone again. Along with the coming of winter, this throws him

She is very close to her father so this impacts her deeply. She feels the need to step up and care for her family. This turns Antonia into a very hard worker. She begins working with Ambrosch, her brother, by plowing the fields. She takes on the responsibilities of a man. This makes her stop going to school. This worries Jim until he finds out that Antonia is actually very hurt by the event of her father dying. Antonia cries in secret and longs to go to school.
Jim was also impacted by the death of Mr. Shimerda. He was not so much impacted emotionally but he was impacted in a way that he felt he had to keep an eye on Antonia and make sure she didn’t lose her way. Jim is in possession of Mr. Shimerdas gun and in a way this hold Jim responsible to keeping the memory of him alive in Antonia. Jim didn’t want Antonia to stray from the gentle teachings of her father. He begins to see this when she starts working with Ambrosch and even worries that she is becoming like her mother. A boastful and insistent