During the 1800's there was an increase in immigration to the great plains due to

an abundance of free land offered by the Homestead Act. Many individuals and families

went west to seek their fortune and a home on what was once called the great American

desert. Moving westward was a difficult process, and many were forced to leave their old

lives behind completely. In "A Wagner Matinee," written by Willa Cather, the

characterization of Aunt Georgiana, a woman who leaves Boston to elope with a young

man going west, is used to illustrate the theme; that sometimes decisions need to be made,

and although one might regret it, one love must be sacrificed for another.

One way that Cather uses characterization to illustrate this theme is through direct

statements about Georgiana and physical descriptions. Right away Cather tells us that

Georgiana is, or was, a pianist of some accomplishment. She once worked as an

instructor at the Boston Conservatory of Music. For a woman to achieve this status in the

time "A Wagner Matinee" is set was an extraordinary thing. The music she chose to give

up was surely something she loved very dearly and was very proud of. The physical

thing that connects her back to the city she left so long ago is the music. When the

that song is has come to an end. After this first ordeal she is able to calm herself

enjoying. "And you've been hearing this ever since you left me, Clark?" she asks. Clark

As the concert continues, she fondly remembers her days at the conservatory as she

civilization for thirty years, and so the transition back into the city was not an easy one.

sacrifice be it is not that." By saying this she is referring to, of course music. Her advice

pantomimes the action of playing a piano on her dress. Through these actions and others

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Approximate Word count = 849
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)