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But on the twenty-first day of December, the snow began to fall. The flakes came down so thickly that from the sitting room windows I could not see beyond the windmill-it’s frame looked so dim and grey, unsubstantial like a shadow. The snow did not stop falling all day, or during the night that followed…the storm was quiet and resistless. The men could not go farther than the barns and corral…When spring came, after that hard winter, one could not get enough of the nimble air. Every morning I wakened with a fresh consciousness that winter was over. There was none of the signs of spring for which I used to watch in Virginia, no budding woods or blooming gardens. There was only-spring itself; the throb of it, the light restlessness, the vital essence of it everywhere…If I had been tossed down blindfolded on that red prairie, I should have known it was spring. Everywhere no there was the smell of burning grass. Our neighbours burned off their pasture before the new grass made a start, so that the fresh growth would not be mixed with the dead stand of last year…All those fall afternoons were the same, but I never got used to them. As far as we could see, the miles of copper-red grass were drenched in sunlight that was stronger and fiercer than at any other time of day. The blond cornfields were red gold, the haystacks turned rosy and threw long shadows. The whole prairie was like the bush that burned with fire and was not consumed. That hour always had the exaltation of victory, of triumphant ending, like a hero’s death- heroes who died young and gloriously. It was a sudden transfiguration, a lifting-up of day (5). |
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One of the most prevalent reoccurring themes in this novel is that of man’s relationship to his environment. Embedded throughout Cather’s beautiful descriptions of the landscape are both explicit connections between the natural environment of the prairie with the character’s psyche and it’s impact on the family, as well as implicit metaphors connecting the human experience with nature. Cather juxtaposes the struggle of the harsh winter with the prosperity and vivacity of the spring and summer, using the colors of each season to symbolize emotional states; the setting of the sun on horizon creates a feeling of the loneliness and introspection with the characters that is brought about by melancholy prairie. The severe isolation wrought by the Nebraskan winters tests the strength of the family, at times breaking it apart as in the case of Mr. Shimerda’s suicide, while the spring, summer, and fall give hope for a brighter and better future supplied by the hard work of the new harvest. |
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‘My papa sad for the old country. He not look good. He never make music any more. At home he play all the time…”America big country; much money, much land for my boys, much husband for my girls.” My papa he cry for leave his old friends what make music with him. He love very much the man what play the long horn like this…’ (6). |
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The Shimerdas as well as all the other European immigrants are faced with many obstacles that impact the family dynamic. Among some of these differences are, the inability to speak English, the foreign culture and customs that they encounter, the desire to succeed and fit in, and the intense homesickness that some feel. The language barrier creates a divide between the generations, as the children begin to assimilate both by becoming more “Americanized” and by learning more of the language than their parents. There are obvious cultural differences which become apparent in the “strange” food that Mrs. Shimerda gives to the Burtons (the dried mushrooms) and how the Shimerdas despite being very poor, want to share everything they have with others, but they do this with the expectation that others with give them substantial offerings in return. Lastly, the deep desire for a community is reflected most powerfully in Mr. Shimerda. In his native land, Bohemia, he is a respected musician with many friends, but in the Midwest he is nothing but a poor immigrant farmer without any friends. While Mrs. Shimerda is inspired by the prospects of achieving the “American Dream”, Mr. Shimerda is disheartened by this new and unfamiliar place, consequently ending his life during a snowstorm. |
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The Bohemian and Scandinavian girls could not get positions as teachers, because they had has no opportunity to learn the language. Determined to help in the struggle to clear the homestead from debt, they had no alternative but to go into the service. Some of them, after they came to town, remained as serious and discreet in behaviour as they has been when they ploughed and herded on their father’s farm…But every one of them did what she has set out to do, and sent home those hard-earned dollars. The girls I knew were always helping to pay for ploughs and reapers, brood-sows, or steers to fatten. One result of this family solidarity was that the foreign farmers in our country were the first to become prosperous (7). |
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This quote represents the different ethnic groups that make up the early settlers who immigrated to the Midwest and the societal values that were present during that time period. It celebrates the inner and physical strength of these pioneer women and depicts them as a vital part of the success of their families. Historically this is significant because in most writing, the early American women were only shown in terms of their duties to the family in maintaining the household, but as this book proves, that was not the only role that the women had. It seems that the European immigrant families of that time put more importance on the family and were always thinking about the wellbeing of others. This ideal of family unity paid off in their many accomplishments. |
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“All the time he was praying, grandmother watched him through the black fingers of her glove, and when he said ‘Amen,’ I thought she looked satisfied with him. She turned to Otto and whispered, ‘Can’t you start a hymn, Fuchs? It would seem less heathenish.’ Fuchs glanced about to see if there was a general approval of her suggestion, then began, ‘Jesus, Lover of my Soul’ (8). |
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Of All the cultural differences between the European immigrants and the Americans, religion seems to play an integral and distinctly different role in each of their lives. Although both the Burtons and the Shimerdas are Christians, the divide between Protestantism and Catholicism respectively, creates yet another barrier between the two families. Because of their religious and cultural beliefs, the Shimerdas feel that Mr. Shimerdas suicide brought shame upon their family; now his body can no longer go to heaven. It can be assumed that the prayers that the family recites at the burial ceremony are in their native language. It is quite possible that Mrs. Burton may agree with the sentiments of the prayers, but because she does not understand the actual words, she feels alienated and therefore calls their customs “heathenish” and asks for a hymn, a religious custom that she is familiar with. This illustrates one of the cultural differences between the two families in showing how a family might come together and mourn for a loved one. |
