When Willa Cather wrote her novel My Antonia in 1918, there was probably no doubt that it was the story of a woman's making. However, today there have been many critics who argue that this work is the legacy of one girl's struggle, not triumph. This perception can easily be argued. This leaves readers with the choice to interpret the book as enlightening or depressing. My Antonia is set at the end of the 19th century. Jim Burden recounted his memories of Antonia's life and their childhood together, after twenty years of absence. The novel begins when the ten-year-old orphan narrator moves from Virginia to the plains of Nebraska to live with his grandparents. He spent his childhood alongside his grandparents and a bohemian neighbor on the prairies. This Russian girl, new to America, was Antonia. Jim and Antonia spent endless afternoons together. He taught her English and America. His lessons were of life and strength. His daily life on the farm changed when he moved with his grandparents to the nearest town, Black Hawk. Antonia found work as a maid in the village, even though her family still lived on a farm. Their adolescence was occupied with dances and picnics. Jim went to college after graduation. Antonia, never able to go to school, was courted but left a child out of wedlock. However, soon after, she married a Bohemian and they had eleven children. This book is the touching story of his friendship with Antonia, his life of Antonia.Antonia is constantly debated. This fictional character is seen by many as a failure. One of these is William J. Stuckey. His essay included in Twentieth Century Literary Criticism, Vol. 31, stated: "Cather and her narrator celebrate one of the ... half of the paper ... extremely unusual for its time. Tiny Soderball, another unlikely candidate for success, struck gold out West after leaving Black Hawk a maid. The achievements of these three women increase the probability that Antonia's life was commendable. The very fact that My Antonia was written by a woman should clearly argue that it illustrates women in a positive aspect wrote My Antonia is "the best piece of fiction ever made by a woman in America." Mencken also said that Cather "would create her own role in Willa Cather's life is a successful novel for." some and disappointing to others. It is perceived differently by its audience, like all things in life it is still an excellent work.