Jim initially describes the Burden house as pleasant, warm and comforting. While Jim first takes a bath he comments, "I sniffed a pleasant smell of gingerbread baking." (954) The comforting smell of food is commonplace in the Burden house, because the family congregates around the kitchen table, which is a focus on community within the house. "Our lives centered around warmth and food and the return of men in nightfall," this quote shows that the table is not complete until everyone has arrived. (975) The feeling of togetherness is so strong that Jim felt strange when he was alone, "For the first time, I realized I was alone in the house." This quote shows that he never was alone in the h

ouse, and only in an emergency he was left alone. The family acts as a unit, which stresses the equality with in the family. In the Burden family, everyone does a part without being asked or forced. Everyone contributes equally. That day when Jim was alone, he did the work because he knew it had to be done. "I remembered that in the hurry and excitement of the morning nobody had thought of the chickens." (988) Jim helps with the work because he wants to, not because he is forced. The family is so important to him that it is natural for him to do what needs to be done.

The women's families turn out very different with very different values. This is because of the environment in which they lived. Although Antonia grew up in such a harsh and sad environment, she grew up to be a respectable mother and good wife. Her characteristics are closer to Mrs. Burden's than her own mother's characteristics. The warm environment of the Burdens is a place Antonia longed to be, and now as an a

Some common words found in the essay are:
Antonia Cather, Ambrosch Shimerda, Burden Burden, Burdens Antonia, burden household, household shimerda household, burden household shimerda, household shimerda, burden house, shimerda household,
Approximate Word count = 670
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)