An Analysis of Irony in Cather's "Neighbour Rosicky"

In 1873 Willa Cather was born in Virginia, but later in her childhood moved to Nebraska with her family. Her experiences in the heartland influenced her writing style, which included stories of immigrants as they settled and made new lives. Cather's short story "Neighbor Rosicky" depicts the life of a Bohemian Czech family man, Anton Rosicky. Rosicky had a harsh childhood, living without family in London and later in New York and was finally able move to the Midwest to start a life of his own. Here he was married and had children, which he raised to value family greatly. While working as a farmer, income was not always steady but Rosicky always made the best out of the situation.

As Rosicky grew older, his consumption of coffee, pipe smoking, and strenuous work on the farm caused him to have asthma and heart trouble. Because of his heart condition, the doctor ordered Rosicky to take it easy and not work on the farm. Rosicky had always been a hard worker and this restriction troubled him greatly. Determined to be productive, Rosicky helps his wife around the house until he one day decides to help his eldest son with the farm work. While preparing the horses Rosicky feels a great pain in his chest, so he stops working and tries to make it back to the house. Despite his effort to make it home and calm down, Rosicky heart problems are too great and he does not survive. Anton Rosicky was a great family man and died trying to help his son. Although Rosicky was a very kind hearted individual, he ironically died because he had a bad heart. (Cather, 1843-1863)

Throughout his life Rosicky was an optimist who truly cared for those around him. As a child, when most children's major concern is themselves, Rosicky had a good heart and soul. When Rosicky, starving in London, accidentally eats the Christmas dinner he acknowledges it:

Well, when I come to realize what I done, of course, I felt terrible. I felt better in

de stomache, but very bad in de heart. (1858)