Cather reminds us again of the changing seasons and the ticking of the clock. To mark the passage of time, the author uses such words as these: weeks, all day, every morning, every day, every evening, as well as such phrases as “sat on the shady side,” “lounged in the sun,” “sit out in the grass plot,” “sat like images,” and “our feet hurried.” This last phrase is symbolic; their feet are hurrying toward adulthood. Jim lets us know that he is conscious of his youth slipping away when he says that boys and girls are growing up, and “life can’t stand still, not even in the quietest country towns; and they have to grow up, whether they will or no.”
In her description of Mrs. Vanni, Cather uses color to communicate the air of excitement surrounding this woman: Mrs. Vanni wears “lavender with a great deal of black lace,” and “red coral combs” in her hair. In addition, she has an “important watch-chain lying on her bosom.” Jim is glad that the dance pavilion is in town; since moving to Black Hawk, he has been desperately searching for activities to replace the active life he led on the farm.
As an adult, Jim is contemptuous of the attitude of the townspeople in Black Hawk, those who felt superior toward the foreign, hired girls, but he doesn’t seem to realize that he did the same thing—that is, he left Black Hawk and married someone with money, someone who wasn’t a first- or second-generation immigrant. Remember, this story is being told by the adult Jim Burden looking back on his youth.
Perhaps it is inevitable that Mr. Harling and Ántonia eventually clash. Mr. Harling is an authoritarian; he is accustomed to being obeyed. Ántonia is an individualistic free spirit who doesn’t like restrictions. When given an ultimatum to stop going to the dances or find another job, she makes her decision easily: She will leave the Harlings and go to work for the Cutters. The Cutters have no children to look after, and there will be less work to do; Ántonia will have more time to enjoy life.
