Nathan Szurek

Dr. Linda Helstern

American Literature II
March 11, 2014
Depictions of Feminism in My Antonia
Willa Cathers My Antonia has been the cause of much dispute in literary society. One of
the main questions argued is whether or not My Antonia is a feminist novel. Feminist criticism
focuses on taking a look at the meaning within texts in order to discern inequalities and the
power structure of each depicted gender. In fact there are many instances throughout the novel
where Antonia herself could be perceived as a symbol of feminism. We can also see the male
narrator exhibiting a number of actions that create questions about his masculinity as well as
traditional gender roles within society. As a result of these examples My Antonia may indeed be
classified as a feminist novel.
To begin the analysis of My Antonia through the feminist perspective we will take a look
at exactly how the character of Antonia may be perceived as a symbol of the feminist movement.
Feminism theory is particularly concerned with the depiction of traditional gender roles and the
equalization of men and women. Often such classic definitions of gender created a strong male
personality and a weaker female personality. Through much of the novel Antonia can be seen
breaking these gender roles and personality types far more often than she adheres to them. One
difference is found within her character makeup. Antonia is pictured as an extraordinarily strong
and independent woman. She refuses to let anyone make her do what she doesnt want to and is
in fact uncontrollable. This is made clear when Antonia is working as a housekeeper for the
Harlings. Antonia begins to frequent dances in town and is seen there many nights. This behavior

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escalates until an engaged man attempts to kiss Antonia and Mrs. Harling gives her an ultimatum
to either quit dancing or find another place to work. Here is where Antonias individuality and
determination shines through as she refuses to quit dancing and remains independent by finding
work at the Cutters. Now many readers might see this as a normal rebellion and possibly even
expect such an action from Antonia considering modern ideas of social norms. However, this
novel was written in 1918 when gender roles were far more significant and women were for the
most part expected to be respectable and obedient. Taken in the historical context of when the
novel was written Antonia is indeed far more rebellious and individualistic than the women of
her time.
Along with Antonias refusal to conform to what is expected to her we find a couple
features that aid in likening her standing to that of a man. First is that her work on the farm is not
that which a normal women would do. More than once she is seen doing all of the hard work that
men do and often works the field right alongside them. This concept of Antonia pushing gender
expectations and equalty is furthered by her physical descriptions and orations. In chapter
nineteen of book one Antonia is clearly depicted with what could be seen as highly male
qualities. For starters the narrator remarks how beads of perspiration used to gather on her upper
lip like a little mustache, likening her physical characteristics to that of a man as she does a
mans labor. Next her iterations of how she likes working outdoors more than in the house and
how she like[s] to be like a man, reinforces her unnatural masculinity. This severe upset of
traditional female gender roles serves as even more evidence of a feminist perspective within the
text.
Since Antonia is not the only important character in the novel lets take a look now at the
narrator. Jimmys lack of masculinity is yet another variance from gender norms and proceeds to

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further the feminist cause of the novel. There are a few ways in which Jimmy differs from
traditional male expectations. The first is that as he is growing up he does not seek out the
companionship of other male children. There is no mention of Jimmy even attempting to
befriend other boys like Ambrosch, instead he spends most of his time with Antonia and her
sister. Some may attribute this fact to Ambrochs personality or age difference but there is still
the question of why no attempt was even contemplated. At some point a traditionally depicted
male would normally have at the very least searched for male companionship. This highlights the
possibility that Jimmy found he had more in common with the girls his age than other boys.
Another phenomenon is that Antonias personality is more in tune with depictions of
masculinity, whereas Jimmy appears to be more akin to the female personality archetype.
Considering that the masculine personality is usually depicted as confident, strong willed, and
independent, there are a number of instances where Jimmy is portrayed in stark contrast to this
definition. For instance in chapter nine of book two Jim begins a monologue about how every
boy feels attraction toward the country girls the strict social order of Black Hawk has kept these
boys from venturing to date them. Though Jimmy does spend some time with them he never
forms a romantic attachment initially displaying his fear of societys expectations. Then after the
popularization of dancing in Black Hawk Jimmy turns to a saloon to find a way to entertain
himself but he abstains from drinking as soon as his character and reputation are questioned,
another example of exactly how much he fears the opinions of others. From a feminist
perspective Jimmys constant worry about his image and his wish to remain respectable in the
eyes of society is almost uncannily similar to the actions of the traditional woman.
Some might say that these abnormalities in the characters of Antonia and Jimmy are
trivialities and dont necessarily mean anything. However, these variations are the one of the

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main foci of the feminist perspective. Traditional male gender roles from the feminist perspective
are to be strong, independent, rough, and sometimes single minded. Whereas traditional female
gender roles are to be obedient, proper, clean, and in charge of the housekeeping and cooking.
The main characters within My Antonia upset and challenge these roles. Jim is shown as timid,
obedient, clean, and self conscious, and Antonias character is rough, independent, strong, and
single minded. It is this complete upset between male and female expectations that shows
feminist viewpoints within the novel.
With all of the aforementioned points it can be concluded that My Antonia is indeed a
feminist novel. There is significant evidence that shows opposition to traditional gender roles and
expectations. Such evidence is found in both Antonia and Jim, the two arguably most important
characters within the novel. Antonia appears in stark contrast with classic female portrayals and
societal roles whereas Jim varies greatly from classic male roles and expectations. Moreover, not
only do their character traits differ from tradition but the things they say and do reinforce these
differences and display the feminist perspective within the text.

Works Cited

Cather, Willa. My ntonia. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1977. Print.