The Trails of Home as Intrinsic Character Aspects in My Ántonia Anonymous 9th Grade

A famous princess held captive by a beast once sang in the Beauty and the Beast musical by Ashman and Menken, “Home should be where the heart is, and never were words so true.” This idea clues in a relevant truth that resonates throughout Willa Cather’s My Ántonia and is embraced by protagonist Jim’s perception of home. Opening his journey midst childhood, he is seen going through a self restart at a young age, and through what he establishes as home, a fresh look at his character is offered. Home has a lasting impact on character throughout life, and this premise is exemplified through how overtly derivative Jim’s traits are from his friendship with Ántonia. Memories that have been effectively innate in self will rise up to the surface of character as life continues. The first treasured memory can hit very close to home. Jim’s perception of life as filtered through his acquaintance with Ántonia in My Ántonia demonstrates the lasting, intrinsic influence of the idea of home on character traits and decisions throughout life.

Friendship with Ántonia resets Jim’s remembrance of home. Diving into the beginning of his narration, Jim initiates a youthful self at a point of emotional exhaustion, with many allusions to the move into...