ABSTRACT

Born in the vast prairie of Nebraska, Willa Cather depicts pioneers’ life in the American Midwest in every detail, with pure and fresh style and elegant language. My Antonia as her masterpiece, focuses on shaping Antonia, the famous image of a female “pioneer”. This thesis aims to concentrate on the narrative technique of juxtaposition which Willa Cather uses in her famous work My Antonia. After an introduction to juxtaposition, this paper analyzes three kinds of juxtapositions in the novel, namely, juxtaposition between two main characters, juxtaposition between the main characters and the minor characters, and juxtaposition between the main characters’ past and present. The paper further explores the respective personalities of the two main characters and the different cultural identities they represent. In addition, the social and historical background of the time when the novel was created is delved into, so as to further reveal the unity and opposites of traditional European culture and the rising American culture, different genders, agriculture civilization and industrial civilization Antonia and Jim represent. Such a detailed discussion of Willa Cather’s characterization of the image of a pioneer by juxtaposition is intended for a better revelation of the profound social significance of Cather’s masterpiece, My Antonia. 

Key words: Antonia and Jim; juxtaposition; cultural identity; unity and opposites

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 Willa Cather and My Antonia-1

1.2 Definition of Juxtaposition-1

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW-4

2.1 Critical History of Willa Cather and My Antonia-4

2.2 Critical Inadequacy and Plan of the Thesis-5

Chapter Three DIFFERENT KINDS OF JUXTAPOSITION-7

3.1 Juxtaposition between the Two Main Characters-7

3.2 Juxtaposition between Main Characters and Minor Characters-9

3.3 Juxtaposition between the Main Characters' Past and Present-11

Chapter Four CULTUREAL IDENTITIES AS REPRESENTED BY ANTONIA AND JIM     -13

4.1 Conflicts between European Culture and American Culture-13

4.2 Conflicts between Different Genders-14

4.3 Conflicts between Agriculture Civilization and Industrial Civilization-15

Chapter Five CONCLUSION-17

WORKS CITED-18