Book 1: Chapter 4 Summary

Jim talks of riding his pony on errands all over the countryside for his grandparents. Jim retells an anecdote about the Mormon's fleeing persecution and scattering sunflower seeds everywhere. This anecdote supposedly explains why sunflowers grow in Nebraska. A'ntonia has reading lessons with Jim's grandmother almost every day and learns about housekeeping and cooking as well. The reader learns about how the Shimerdas hate Krajiek, but they remain tied to him due to their shared heritage and the business of the home.

Book 1: Chapter 4 Analysis

A'ntonia is clearly the family member who is working the hardest to adopt this new culture and learn the ways of Nebraska. Krajiek is described as a rattlesnake, and the Shimerdas are compared with the prairie dogs that have to live with him. The Shimerdas are unable to protect themselves from Krajiek, and yet, they are...