Free College Essays - Mr. Shimerda in My Antonia :: My Antonia Essays

  Mr. Shimerda of My Antonia        Most nation find it very hard to pull up roots in their native land and move to a strange country. Throughout history, countless millions of people have done so. People forsake their homeland and move to another country for various reasons. Some people emigrate to avoid starvation. Some seek adventure. Others wish to escape unbearable family situations. Still others desire to be reunited with loved ones.  However, the main reason for immigration has extensive been economic opportunity--the lure of better land or a better job. Yet, some people cant conform to the American way of life. Like replanting a flowers roots, all moving a person so attached to their homeland and customs, can prove to be fatal.  In the book, My Ántonia, the Shimerdas seemed to be very religious. For example, on Christmas evening, When the candle ends move up their conical yellow flames, all the colored figures from Austria stood out clear and full of meaning against the green boughs. Mr. Shimerda rose, crossed himself, and quietly knelt down before the head History shows that the Bohemian people were constantly revolting for their freedom. This was probably one of the reasons for the religious Shimerdas move to America, to get away from those many hard dates. All the time she say America bouffant country much money, much land for my boys, much husband for my girlsmy mama, she want Ambrosch for be rich, with many cattle. This must have been the main divisor for the move from their kawn-tree. Unfortunately, not all the Shimerdas were excited by the move. My papa sad for the old country. He not look good. He never make symphony anymoreHe dont like this kawn-treeMy papa, he cry for leave his old friends what make music with him. These quotations were the warning signs of what happened next. Why, mam, it was simple enough he pulled the trigger with his big toe. He layed over on his side and put the end of t he barrel in his mouth, then he drew up one foot and mat for the trigger. He found it all right Mr. Shimerda was so depressed about losing everything and anything that was familiar to him that he felt there was no use in living. Jim thought, I knew it was homesickness that had killed Mr. Shimerda, and I wondered whether his released spirit would not eventually find its way back to his own country.