Book 1: Chapter 13 Summary

There is a thaw after Christmas. A'ntonia and her mother visit the Burdens. Mrs. Shimerda is boastful and greedy and takes a pot from them. A'ntonia says that her father is not well. Jim learns that Mrs. Shimerda wanted to come to America but Mr. Shimerda did not. Ambrosch is considered the important one in the family. Jim says that he hopes Mrs. Shimerda does not visit them again. The bulls think it is spring and are beginning to fight until they are broken up. A blizzard hits on Jim's eleventh birthday, January 20. The Burden family, snowed in, is trying to take care of the animals.

Book 1: Chapter 13 Analysis

Mrs. Shimerda's visit is an unpleasant one, and Jim's grandmother remarks that you never know how people will respond when their family is in need. Again, the story is building up to...