Realists always fall in love with the ones they grow up with." (Robert Frost). Then they get married and live a happy life with each other. That is how the story is supposed to go, right? Well, in Willa Cather's novel My Antonia, she puts a different spin on this fairy tale story. Despite their childlike affection for each other, Jim and Antonia, the main characters in the novel, cannot marry due to life's circumstances.
             The young pair's different aspirations for life create an obstacle for their getting married. Jim's strong desire to do well in his academics pushes him to succeed in high school. On the other hand, Antonia's social life interferes with her domestic work at the Harlings'. Clearly, Jim has a mature outlook for bettering his future while Antonia is having fun in her work and not taking her duties seriously. Later on, when Jim chooses to go away to college, Antonia chooses to stay in the country. Jim is able to give up his happiness in the country for the success of the city. On the other hand, Antonia is unable to give up her happiness for a city life full of success. Having these opposite ambitions makes it hard for Jim and Antonia to consider a romantic relationship or marriage.
             In addition to having different aspirations, Jim and Antonia are considered an incompatible couple for marriage because of their very different backgrounds. While Jim is born into a middle-class and comfortable way of life, Antonia is born into lower-class poverty and hardship. Being raised in these different social classes makes it hard for Jim and Antonia to fully understand each other's lifestyle. Jim aspires to work hard to keep and improve the pleasures that his family has. Antonia, on the other hand, is happy with having food on the table, a roof overhead, and good friends. After looking at these important differences in their backgrounds, it is clear that Jim and Antonia w...