Personality Quiz - Treasa and Caitlin

[Mrs. Patterson]

Treasa: Mr. Shimerda
Caitlin: Antonia

Please describe and defend your character's view on the following issue (in the first or third person, as you prefer):

Mr. Shimerda's homesickness and eventual suicide and its effect on Antonia's life

Direct support from the book would greatly strengthen your description and defense.

[Caitlin (Antonia)]

I look up to you so much Papa. I know that you did not like this kawntree because you always seemed sad and would not make music. I am sometimes mad that you left us and gave up. But mostly when I think of you I am sad. You did not like America at all and always wanted to go back home. When you died I was very sad. I never did like winter after that. Ambroch lead the family after you died and I could not go to school because of all the work he gave me. Even though you have left this world I believe I can feel you. I believe that you are with me and watch over me. I wish you could see my family. My husband is a good man and my children are beautiful. I miss you very much papa, I wish you had not left us so soon. -Antonia

[Treasa (Mr. Shimerda)]

When Mr. Shimerda died, there is no doubt that Antonia grieved for him an awful lot because she was his favorite child and he her favorite parent. The day Mr. Shimerda died, Antonia's childhood was ripped out from under her. She no longer could play in the fields or even take English lessons with Jim because there was so much that needed to be done on the family farm. Antonia no longer only had to help her mother and Yulka in the kitchen and around the house; now, Antonia did all this and took over much of the farm work to help Ambrosch. Antonia grew stronger and more masculine, much to the disapproval of the town folk around her. The strength that Antonia gained after her father's suicide, however, was not just physical but mental too. She grew up very quickly in a very small period of time and learned to work hard, because that was the only way the family would survive. Whether Mr. Shimerda meant for it to happen or not, Antonia learned what she would need to know to survive the rest of her life shortly after his death. She learned how to do the hard farm work that would help her after her marriage. She also learned how to keep up and manage a house when she was hired out as a servant girl in town. It is always tragic when a person commits suicide, and even more so when that person has a family that deeply loves, needs, and misses them. However, Mr. Shimerda's suicide had a hidden silver lining.