While reading the introduction as well as the first twenty or thirty pages into the book, I noticed the way Anatolia and her family are viewed. While there are positive or neutral descriptions used to describe the Shimeradas there are also some negative descriptions. As a history major, I view this in the historical context of our nation’s mixed record on immigration. I viewed the negative descriptions in regards to several historical events that occurred during that time. First, the fear people always have of immigrants. Second, the Influenza Epidemic of 1918 raging all over the world. Finally, World War 1.
The Times website gives a good general historical overview of how immigration to America in the early 1900’s. Both touch briefly on how immigrants were viewed by people back then, and the belief that immigrants would not assimilate is mentioned.
Historically people have viewed foreigners to their nation with fear and suspicion. This is partly because foreigners came in mass droves, which was usually caused by warfare or civil unrest. People feared immigrants, because they look and speak differently. This fear has always existed and continues to this day. The comment James makes of Antonia’s family speaking in a “foreign tongue” comes to mind. Such a phrase is never said or written in a non-negative way. Displaced peoples historically brought with them disease, sickness, and death. A number of outbreaks that occurred (syphilis comes to mind immediately) during wars in Europe were given the name the French disease or Italian disease. Essentially, if your nation was being invaded by a foreign power which brought disease, people named it after the nationality of the invading army. It all ties into “othering” an individual, which is what the author does in the book with some of her descriptions.
People from many nations during WW 1 also got influenza. It went beyond the borders of America. It was brought to America from returning soldiers. It was brought to Europe from soldiers going over seas. Immigrants brought it over as well. The point being that given that this was going on when the novel was written and published, I am not surprised to see the hostility and fear of foreigners in the novel. I am reminded of this when James’s friend tells him, “…likely to get disease from foreigners” (6) early on in the book. One can certainly see the the Influenza Epidemic being on the mind of the author in relation to this comment. During the Influenza Epidemic of 1918-1919 people were dropping like flies from the flu. Death was not uncommon.
Willa Cather’s mentions Antonia, her family, and the Russians in the wider context of the events going on in the world at that time. I see this in play with her early descriptions of the Shimeradas in particular.
Fascinating glimpse into this important historical element here–much has been written about the associate of immigrant with disease and disability, and immigrants were often quarantined in horrible conditions upon arrival in an effort to lessen the threat of spreading disease. It’s rather interesting, switching to a close-reading perspective, to ask what exactly Cather is accomplishing (or failing to accomplish) by so often associating foreigners with disease: there’s Peter’s consumption; Mr. Shimerda’s effete nature; Malek’s physical and mental disability. Here, is Cather offering a social commentary, or falling into a common stereotype regarding the danger’s immigrants bring and their fitness for life. To what extent do these damaged bodies underscore an ideology of manly (or womanly) health and wellness that someone like Antonia is able to embody, but that so many of the other foreigners represented do not?