My Ántonia, Chapter 4 summary
Chapter 4 of 45 · Book 1: The Shimerdas · 5 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 4, the narrator explores the prairie on his pony, teaches Ántonia Shimerda to read English, and observes her family's difficulties in their new surroundings. His pleasure in the open country contrasts with the Shimerdas' dependence on Krajiek, whose warnings keep them from visiting town and whose language makes him difficult to dismiss.
What happens
- Otto guides the narrator's first long pony ride, and the narrator begins carrying messages and collecting mail.
- The narrator explores the autumn prairie and associates sunflower-bordered roads with a story about religious freedom.
- He and Ántonia watch underground-nesting owls and discuss how prairie dogs find water.
- Ántonia attends regular reading lessons, shares melons with the narrator, and learns household skills from Grandmother.
- The narrator describes Mrs. Shimerda's poor bread and her method of fermenting dough scraps.
- The Shimerdas avoid town because of Krajiek's warnings and keep supporting him because they need someone who speaks their language.
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In this chapter
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Why do the Shimerdas continue to keep Krajiek with them?
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