ABSTRACT

Willa Cather is a famous American female writer and My Antonia is regarded as her masterpiece. My Antonia narrates the immigration experience of a Bohemian girl Antonia and the spiritual journey of a typical immigrant woman. This paper analyzes this novel from the aspect of theme of growth. This novel is presented from three perspectives: Antonia’s life on the prairie, her leaving for Black Hawk and her returning to the prairie. Three main living environment in the novel matches three periods of heroine’s growth. This paper reveals the harmonious relationship between the heroine and nature and her revolt against patriarchal society. 

Keywords：My Antonia; theme of initiation; pursuit of self-concept; spiritual return

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 Brief Introduction of Willa Cather and My Antonia-1

1.2 Literature Review-2

1.3 The Significance of This Paper-3

Chapter Two COMING TO THE PRAIRIE-5

2.1 The Impact of Bohemian Culture-5

2.2 The Impact of Her Father-6

2.3 The Impact of Her Mother-7

Chapter Three LEAVE FOR BLACK HAWK TOWN-9

3.1 Delighted Changes-9

3.2 Enticements in Antonia’s Life-10

3.3 Strikes to Antonia-11

Chapter Four RETUNING TO THE PRAIRIE-13

4.1 Harmonious Relationship with Nature-13

4.2 Rebuilding Herself-14

4.3 Understanding of Life-15

Chapter Five CONCLUSION-16

WORKS CITED-18