Role of Women

                “Miss Cather, I think, in this book has taken herself out of the rank of provincial writers and given us something we can fairly class with modern literary feminism” (Bloom, 5). Country women in the novel were not confined to staying inside and caring for the children while making dinner. Antonia is the perfect example of this because, early on, we see that she is a lively young girl whose youth is not yet affected by the social norms of that time. “Antonia had opinions about everything, and she was soon able to make them known” (Cather, 22). When her father died she had to take up labor in the fields to help her family survive. She didn’t complain about it like Ambrosch did, it seemed very much like Ambrosch did very little work and just spent his time bossing her around. “Ambrousch hired his sister out like a man, and she went from farm to farm, binding sheaves or working with the threshers.” (Cather, 95). Throughout the novel, Antonia was probably the one who did the most work out of anyone. In the end when Jim returns to meet her we find out that she is still working even after she has born numerous children. Though Antonia seems old and worn she’s still the happy, energetic kid Jim remembers from his childhood. “Antonia had not lost the fire in her life. Her skin, so brown and hardened, had not that look of flabbiness, as if the sap beneath it had been secretly drawn away.” (Cather, 217). Cather had her be the vision of a woman who could still be proud even after a life of hardship.

                “Cather’s use of the daughters being the main lifeline for families switches the roles between them and the sons…” (Bloom, 17). Bloom brings up a very good point in that the families often relied on their daughters for support rather than their sons. Frances was the oldest daughter of the Harlings.  “Frances, was a very important person in our world. She was her father's chief clerk, and virtually managed his Black Hawk office during his frequent absences” (Cather, 97). Antonia was the Shimerda’s communicator for the outside world and she also worked in the fields to support her family when her father died. When Lena, Tiny and Antonia went to Black Hawk for work they always sent the money back to their families, keeping only enough to get by for themselves. Antonia seemed fine with this and often bragged “how much ploughing she had done that day.” (Cather, 118). So, where were the boys while the females labored tirelessly? They were almost never out in the fields working, they were just in school. Other farmers greatly approved of women working to support their family and saw nothing unusual with women doing a “man’s job”. “The farmers liked her and were kind to her, said they would rather have her for a hand than Ambrousch" (Cather, 95). Women could do more than just stay inside and cook, they could do hard labor and have jobs just like any man could.

                Willa Cather portrayed all of her women characters as strong roles models ready to combat whatever came their way. They could run business, work on the farm and raise a family all by themselves. These women were not affected by society’s beliefs, stereotypes bounced off them as they went on their way, being just as capable as men. They were independent and could lead their own lives. “Cather’s novel helps pave the way for women equality everywhere.” (Bloom, 2).

        Bloom, Harold. Ántonia. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1991. Antonia. Questia Media         America. 31 Feb. 2009 <http://www.questia.com/read/102554813?title=Antonia>.