Tea and Tales with Cate and Allison discussion

Janay and Allison,

Can't wait to read and discuss My Antonia with both of you. With our TBR lists I'd say let's shoot for December to read this!

~Catie

Yeah, can't wait to read this with you ladies! I've been meaning to re-read this one for so long - the last time I read it was in high school!

I might join you in reading this one. We'll see how my December starts shaping up.

I too, look forward to reading this with you guys. I hope the others in the group may want to join in as well. Thanks, Allison and Catie! December is almost hear. Where did the year go! I. I look forward to learning about more Goodreads for 2016 from you guys!

I have my copy ready to go and can't wait to read this in December!

I have officially, sat down to start reading, My Antonia. Catie & Allison, are you all set to dive in? :)

I started MY ANTONIA last night, only about fifty pages in, but I'm loving it. Cather definitely has a writing style and flair that captures your attention. I'm reading the Barnes & Noble edition of the book and the introduction was fascinating!! I definitely want to read more of Cather's works, including her letters and a biography on her. She seems like she was quite the modern women!

What's your thoughts at this point (50pgs) of Mrs. Shimerda?

•Do you think that Jim is fair in thinking that she's conceited?

•Or do you feel as though she's just used to a certain type of lifestyle from where they're from and her admiring nice things is just something she misses? After all, they have nothing at this point. And, wouldn't that make Jim's grandmother conceited, being that she's the one who possesses the desired things?

By the way, I'm only on page 70, Cate.

Cate, one more question.

•Do you feel that what happened to Pavel was karma? I think it's safe to say that if one is chosen as a groomsmen, he and the groom are friends. But, when tragedy struck, Pavel tried to convince his friend that they needed to lighten the sled by getting rid of his bride. When, the friend told him that he was basically nuts, he got rid of him too in order to save himself.

•Do you look at this as him being in panic survival mode or cruel, or would most people on his position would have made the same decision?

These are great questions Janay!

I'm not a big fan of Mrs. Shirmerda. I do feel the way Jim does to an extent, especially when he and his grandparents have done so much for the Shimerda's. But, I do love how grandmother and grandfather smile and patiently handle Antonia and her family. I would hope that my initial reaction towards their ungrateful behavior would quickly mellow and I'd be able to be a little more empathetic towards them.

I do feel they are a little quick to ask for things. Especially since Jim's grandparents have tried to help them out as much as possible. And during this time in American history, you did have to work hard for things. I always have to remind myself how the first settlers relied so heavily on their crops and harvests. Nebraska and the plains were a harsh and unfriendly environment to live in, a lot of times many farms only harvested enough for their own mouths if they were careful and rationed during the winter months. If the winter lasted longer than normal or sickness occurred or even food spoiled if it wasn't stored correctly they would starve to death. I think it would be very hard to face a Midwestern winter with starving neighbors and know you could only help so much or you too could be in trouble. I think sometimes we as modern readers forget grocery stores and stacked shelves of food wasn't the norm back then. :)

I thought the story about the wolves was very interesting! What a horrible event to witness!! I would like to say that I would be the bigger person and somehow figure out a way to save those in my sled, but I don't know what I would do in a situation like that. Do you try to save yourself and your loved one, in this case his brother or do you save others? That is a very tough question!

What are you thoughts on these same questions?

I agree with you about the way things were in that setting.

"I wanted to walk straight on through the red grass and over the edge of the world, which could not be very far away. The light and air abot me told me that the world ended here: only the ground and sun and sky were left, and if one went a little farther there would only be sun and sky, and one would float off into them, like the tawny hawks which sailed over our heads making slow shadows on the grass." Jim

As far the latter question, you're right! It's a tough situation. I would hope I could have came up with greatness to save all of us. However, as you mentioned, that was his brother. It just sounded so brutal how it happened.

Jim's aunt does seem to be an enabler when it comes to Mrs. Schremder, "I can't say no to free things" syndrome. I don't know how far along you are now but, I feel that someone pushed Mr. Schremder over the edge. When a man is trying to make a better life for his family; has well intentions but feckless, he is hopeless. Then, for another man to be the cause of his failures and rub it in his face, is a catastrophe.

I totally trashed the spelling of their last name! :0)

I'm starting tomorrow, ladies!! I can't wait to get caught go on our discussion!

Can't wait to hear your thoughts, Allison. :) I have about fifty pages left to read and just love it! Why have I never read this book before!?

I can't wait to hear you guys thoughts. I finished it about an hour ago. I enjoyed the read. I won't elaborate any further until Allison gets started and Cate finishes. I will say to Cate, I can't believe I'm just reading it as well.

I'm about halfway through, and I'm loving it! I'm a little irked by some of the Shimerdas, I think primarily because we only see them from Jim's point of view. I do think, though, that sometimes Jim is too quick to become angry with them or write them off. Like when Ántonia can't go to school and clearly puts on a front to protect herself. I just can't imagine how difficult it would be to be the Shimerdas. Living in a new country, not knowing anyone, being duped and losing almost all of your money, not knowing the language, having to do everything entirely differently - I don't know how I would handle that, so I think I'm inclined to show them some grace.

The wolves story is heartbreaking. I can't imagine living with that weight for so long. I'm glad Pavel was able to unburden himself before he died.

What do you ladies think of Mr. Shimerda's suicide? Is it selfish or understandable? Or both? How does it change his family? I have so many thoughts, but I'll save them for when I hear from you ladies.

Finally, the American west seems like a character unto itself. What do you think of Cather's decision to feature Nebraska and the "Wild West" in such great detail? How does the book work as sort of love letter to pioneer life and the land?

Mr. Shimerda's suicide was very much selfish! True, you can understand why he might have thought that was his only way out. He grew accustomed to a certain lifestyle and when times got tough he selfishly, removed himself from the situation. Maybe, he thought that Jim's grandparents loved Antonia so much and helped out with their family, that they'd take care of his family. I don't agree with any reasoning behind it. I can come up with several excuses as to why he may have done it, but it still doesn't negate the fact that it was selfish. Had he been a standup man, sorta speak, his family would have fed off of his determination and zeal to make it and do whatever it took to pull themselves up. Jim said that, Mrs. Shimerda was conceited, however, I think it was more of her husband. He walked around with his suit and ties on, well dressed. He should have put on some overalls and boots and did what was necessary to take care of his family.