Search for Selfhood in Willa Cather's My Antonia

Abstract

The protagonist, woman character, Antonia Shimerda in Cather's novel My Antonia is in search of selfhood in the male-dominated society. Because of the patriarchal society, Antonia faces series of male domination. Despite the suppression and oppression from the male- dominated society, Antonia never gets tired of her struggle. She is a conscious, bold and courageous lady who is against such domination. She rejects patriarchal rules and regulations as they are false concepts. Antonia crosses boundaries of such norms which keep women inside the kitchen. The patriarchal social structure raises many problems in her life, defying all their attempts to adjust in that very society. Finally, Cather'sMy Antonia is an attempt to search for the independent identity of woman character that helps to get rid of the burning sense of gender discrimination.