Book 1: Chapter 7 Summary

Jim notes that A'ntonia acts superior to him and knows it may have to do with her being four years older than he is. A'ntonia and Jim ride to Russian Peter's to borrow a spade for her brother Ambrosch. On their return, the children decide to investigate the prairie dog holes by digging into them. A'ntonia and Jim see a five foot long rattlesnake, which is described as being an ancient evil. Jim kills it with the spade and suddenly becomes a big hero to A'ntonia. They drag the dead snake back to show everyone Jim's accomplishment. Upon reflection, Jim knows luck allowed him to kill the rattlesnake .

Book 1: Chapter 7 Analysis

This is the third time in the novel that rattlesnakes appear. In this scene, the rattlesnake is again described as wicked and evil. Although the rattlesnake is conquered in this...