My Antonia Study Guide
Due ________________
1
Name _______________________________
Book I
Pages 45-59
1. Why does Grandmother urge her husband to check in on the Shimerdas? How
does Mrs. Shimerda react to the visit?
2. Were you surprised to learn that the Shimerdas lived well in Bohemia, were
respected, and came to America with more than a thousand dollars? Why are they
now almost destitute? How do you suppose Mr. Shimerda feels about seeing his
family live as they are forced to?
3. Would you have tried one of the dried mushrooms? Do you think it was wasteful
or unkind of Grandmother to throw them away? Do people miss out on things by
being unwilling to try something new or different?
4. What is meant by “These boys had no practiced manner behind which they could
retreat and hold people at a distance”? What was the tone of this last paragraph?
5. How did Jim learn what his grandfather was thinking about? Do you think the
Burdens observed the “true meaning of Christmas”? How? Do they give or
receive any gifts?
6. Why do you think Mr. Shimerda’s visit to the Burdens affects him to deeply?
What is meant by the reference to Grandfather “Protestantizing the atmosphere”?
Do you agree with Grandfather?
My Antonia Study Guide
Due ________________
2
Name _______________________________
7. How does the visit of Antonia and Mrs. Shimerda a few days later compare to Mr.
Shimerda’s visit?
Mr. Shimerda’s Visit
Mrs. Shimerda’s Visit
8. What does Antonia say about her father? What is Jim’s reaction? How does their
argument escalate?
9. What does Grandmother’s remark about poverty tell you about her?
10. How do the members of the Burden household react to the news that Mr.
Shimerda has killed himself? Why do you think Ambrosch says nothing to
anyone, but prays with his rosary all morning?
11. Jim seems to greatly enjoy being left alone in the house. Does it strike you as
strange that he can be happy after what has happened – or that he didn’t go along
with his grandparents?
12. Who is Anton Jelinek, and why are the Burdens happy about his arrival? How
does Otto help out?
13. What is the neighbors’ major concern? Why? Where does the family want Mr.
Shimerda to be buried?