Lena Lingard And Antonia Comparison

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Willa Cather’s “My Antonia” is a collection of fictional memories loosely based off Cather’s own childhood. Throughout the novel young Jim Burden encounters several characters and befriends men and women alike, but two female characters become very close; Antonia Shimerda and Lena Lingard. Antonia and Lena both aid Jim throughout his life; one through childhood and the other through adulthood. While both characters have minor similarities, the differences between them are pronounced. Lena Lingards’ flirtatious nature directly contrasts Antonia’s calm and innocent demeanor. Both women are seen as very ambitious and independent, Lena’s focus is more career driven, instead of family oriented. Lena is said to be wild and labeled as the “party girl’. Due to her interest in the towns’ night life as well as her lack of commitment. On the other hand, Antonia’s success lies in her ability to obtain stability and a husband. Unlike Lena, Antonia wants a husband and children. Her search for a spouse leads her to Colorado and back leaving her a single mother of one. Eventually Antonia does find love and ends up living on the prairie with Cuzak her husband and 11 children. …show more content…

Traveling to America with little or no money Antonia’s family was content living in a small shed surviving off of the land. Perhaps her upbringing influenced how she valued her time instead of money. Rather than buying things she enjoys establishing a family. Ms. Lingard did not enjoy the country lifestyle, she states in book two “I’m through with the farm. There aint any end to the work on a farm, and always so much trouble happens.”(106), making it clear she never wants to go back to her farming

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