summary of my antonia
...ever, spends more and more time with Lena, and begins to see the softer side of her. When winter arrives, Jim sees everything smaller. In the country, people kept working as if nothing was different, but in town everyone stayed inside. Jim spent most of his time at the Harlings, and on one rare occasion he went to the hotel to see Blind d’Arnault, and African American piano player, where he learns of his life story and hears his songs. As spring comes around, so does the Vanni’s dancing tent. Dances are held for the townspeople on weeknights and Saturdays, and Jim never misses a single Saturday dance. The country girls always attend as well, and are always a hit with the men of the town. The dances, although popular, are still held in low regard by a lot of the town folk. As the dances become more popular for the country girls and the men of the town, Jim begins to see the “social situation” unfold amongst the town, and he does not like it. He notices that the country girls are looked down upon in society when he sees them as the most interesting and sturdy of all the women in the town. The men of the town are unwilling to go out of their way to pursue the country girls that they are attracted to for fear of shunning by the town. At the dancing tents, however, neutral ground is reached between both the men and the girls. The dancing tents also bring Antonia to the center of attention because of her dancing skills. She is an excellent dancer, which unfortunately becomes the start of the estrangement from the Harling family. Mr. Harling attempts to make Antonia give up dancing, but she refuses. Mrs. Harling then tries to persuade her, but it is no use, and Antonia says she will work for the Cutters, a horrible couple in which Mr. Cutter is known for his promiscuity and Mrs. Cutter is known for her horrible looks. Mrs. Harling is appalled and bans Antonia from the house. Jim becomes more and more interested in the “hired girls” and starts to spend the majority of his time with them. Dances continue to take place even after the Vanni’s tent leaves at the Firemen’s hall, and Jim is compelled to attend despite his known assumption that his grandparents would not approve. He is now aware of the rumors that are spreading around town about him and his lack of interest in girls his age. Jim also begins to set his sights on kissing the “hired girls” and does just that, but when it comes to Antonia, she is shocked when he kisses her so strongly. Antonia tells Jim that she is proud of him and not to become like the men of the town, but to make something of himself. Jim returns feeling happy, but at night he dreams of Lena, and not Antonia. One afternoon Jim finds his grandmother crying, b...