My Antonia Study Guide

An unknown narrator introduces the reader to Jim Burden. Both Jim Burden and the narrator grew up in the same Nebraska town, and they have met on a train crossing Iowa. Jim and the narrator currently live in New York, and we learn that Jim acts as legal counsel for one of the railways. The narrator mentions a dislike for Jim's wife, for she is unimpressionable. However, the narrator notes that Jim has changed little since their childhood. The discussion turns to their memories of A'ntonia, a Bohemian girl they both knew, and Jim says that he has been writing down his memories of her. Months after this meeting on the train, Jim Burden delivers a manuscript to the narrator at his apartment asking if the narrator would still like to read it. Jim titles his manuscript "My A'ntonia" on the spot. (read more)