My Ántonia, Book 2: The Hired Girls, Chapter 13 summary
Book 2: The Hired Girls, Chapter 13 of 45 · 5 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 13, Jim stops attending the Firemen’s dances because his secrecy hurts Grandmother, then turns toward study and plans for university. His graduation speech wins Mrs. Harling’s praise and deeply moves Ántonia, especially when he tells her that he dedicates it to her father.
What happens
- Grandmother cries over Jim’s secret attendance at dances, and he promises not to return because the gossip hurts her.
- Jim spends lonely spring evenings studying Latin and preparing to enter university in the fall.
- He leaves Nina Harling a flower basket and finds comfort in hearing her delight.
- Frances explains Mrs. Harling’s feelings and tells Jim that he romanticizes the country girls.
- Jim’s graduation speech earns Mrs. Harling’s warm praise and a personalized umbrella.
- Ántonia, Lena, and Anna Hansen congratulate Jim, and Ántonia embraces him when he dedicates the speech to her father.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Jim values the personal response to his speech above other successes. Ántonia’s tears connect his achievement with affection and remembrance.
Quick check
Why does Jim promise to stop attending the Firemen’s dances?
Cite this page
“My Ántonia, Book 2: The Hired Girls, Chapter 13 summary.” Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/pages/my-ntonia-book-2-the-hired-girls-chapter-13-summary.
Library of Alexandria. (2026). My Ántonia, Book 2: The Hired Girls, Chapter 13 summary. https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/my-ntonia-book-2-the-hired-girls-chapter-13-summary
“My Ántonia, Book 2: The Hired Girls, Chapter 13 summary.” Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/my-ntonia-book-2-the-hired-girls-chapter-13-summary.
@misc{my_ntonia_book_2_the_hired_girls_chapter_13_summary_2026,
title = {My Ántonia, Book 2: The Hired Girls, Chapter 13 summary},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/my-ntonia-book-2-the-hired-girls-chapter-13-summary}
}
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