Mr. Shimerda by Mia AntoniaMost people find it very difficult to put down roots in their homeland and move to a foreign country. Throughout history, countless millions of people have done so. People leave their homeland and move to another country for various reasons. Some people emigrate to avoid starvation. Some seek adventure. Others want to escape unbearable family situations. Still others wish to be reunited with loved ones. However, the main reason for immigration has long been economic opportunity: the lure of better land or a better job. However, some people cannot conform to the American lifestyle. Like replanting the roots of a flower, completely moving a person so attached to their land and their customs can prove fatal. In the book "My Ántonia", the Shimerdas appear to be very religious. For example, on Christmas evening, "As the candles blew out their conical yellow flames, all the colorful figures from Austria stood out clear and meaningful against the green branches. Mr. Shimerda stood up, made himself sign of the cross and knelt quietly before the tree……" History shows that the Bohemian people were constantly in revolt for their freedom. This was probably one of the reasons why the Shimerda religious moved to America, to get away from those many "difficult times". "He always says, 'America is a big country; lots of money, lots of land for my boys, lots of husband for my girls... my mom, she wants Ambrosch to be rich, with lots of cattle." This must have been the main factor for the move from their "kawn tree". Unfortunately, not all of the Shimerdas were thrilled with the move. "My father is sad about his old country. It doesn't look good. He doesn't make music anymore... He doesn't like this kawn tree... My father, he cries for leaving his old friends who make music with him ." These quotes were the warning signs of what happened next. "Well, Mom, it was simple enough; he pulled the trigger with his big toe. He lay down on his side and put the end of the barrel in his mouth, then he lifted one foot and felt for the trigger. He found everything Well!" Mr. Shimerda was so depressed over losing everything and everything familiar to him that he felt there was no point in living. Jim thought, "I knew it was homesickness that killed Mr. Shimerda, and I wondered if his liberated spirit would ever find its way back to his country"..