Capitalism

“Although Jim Burden and I both live in New York, and are old friends, I do not see much of him there. He is legal counsel for one of the great Western railways, and is sometimes away from his New York office for weeks together. That is one reason why we do not often meet. Another is that I do not like his wife.”

The story of My Antonia takes place roughly between 1880-1910, which parallels with the growth of Industrialization in the United States. In the introduction of the novel, we learn that Jim Burden is the embodiment of Capitalism. Brought on by the modernization of New York, Jim works for one of the great Western railways, which is a symbol for industrialization in the United States.

“When Jim was still an obscure young lawyer, struggling to make his way in New York, his career was suddenly advanced by a brilliant marriage.”

Here, we learn about Jim’s wife, Genevive Whitney. At this point of Jim’s life, he is financially comfortable. His life is filled with Social and Economic Capital — Social in the sense of his networks with his wife (as well as her connections), and economic in the sense of his wealth.