# Book II: The Hired Girls explained — My Ántonia

> Chapter companion for My Ántonia by Willa Cather.

## What happens

Jim Burden moves to Black Hawk and observes the social dynamics between town families and the hired girls, particularly Ántonia, Lena, and Tiny. The chapter explores the girls' independence and the town's prejudices.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Prejudice

The hired girls are judged by town families for their rural origins and work, highlighting class divides.

### Gender Roles

The hired girls challenge traditional expectations by working outside the home and asserting their independence.

## Character check-ins

### Jim Burden

Moves to Black Hawk and reflects on the hired girls' lives.

### Ántonia Shimerda

Works as a hired girl for the Harlings, facing social scrutiny.

### Lena Lingard

Comes to Black Hawk and becomes a hired girl, drawing attention.

### Tiny Soderball

Another hired girl, working in town and navigating social circles.

### Mrs. Harling

Employs Ántonia and treats her with respect, contrasting with other townspeople.

## Key lines

> The hired girls were a source of fascination and gossip in Black Hawk.

The town was both intrigued and critical of the hired girls, discussing them frequently.

_Reflects the social tension around the hired girls' presence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/book-ii-the-hired-girls
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_antonia_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters