# Ambrosch Shimerda — My Ántonia character guide

> Ambrosch Shimerda in My Ántonia by Willa Cather.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Ambrosch, Presently Ambrosch

**First appearance:** 0006-ii

## Who they are

Ántonia's eldest brother, hardened early by debt and dirt, who drives the Shimerda farm with a surly will and little patience for sentiment.

## Relationships

### [Ántonia Shimerda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/antonia_shimerda)

_family_

Ambrosch is Ántonia's older brother, who often treats her harshly and expects her to work like a man on their farm.

### [Jake Marpole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/jake_marpole)

_rivalry_

Ambrosch and Jake clash frequently over farm work and cultural differences, leading to tension and occasional fights.

### [Jim Burden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/jim_burden)

_rivalry_

Ambrosch and Jim have a strained relationship marked by cultural misunderstandings and jealousy over Ántonia's affection.

### [Jake Marpole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/jake_marpole)

_rivalry_

Ambrosch and Jake clash frequently over farm work and cultural differences, leading to tension and occasional fights.

### [Jim Burden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/jim_burden)

_rivalry_

Ambrosch and Jim have a strained relationship marked by cultural misunderstandings and jealousy over Ántonia's affection.

### [Jake Marpole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/jake_marpole)

_rivalry_

Ambrosch and Jake clash frequently over farm work and cultural differences, leading to tension and occasional fights.

### [Ántonia Shimerda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/antonia_shimerda)

_family_

Ambrosch is Ántonia's older brother, who often treats her harshly and expects her to work like a man on their farm.

### [Ántonia Shimerda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/antonia_shimerda)

_family_

Ambrosch is Ántonia's older brother, who often treats her harshly and expects her to work like a man on their farm.

## In the story

### [Book I: The Shimerdas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/book-i-the-shimerdas)

Ántonia's older brother, who is hardworking but often harsh and demanding.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/iii)

The oldest son, short and broad-backed, with shrewd, suspicious eyes.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/vii)

Needs the spade borrowed from Russian Peter.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/xiii)

Considered the important person in the family, deferred to by his mother and sister.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/xiv)

Brings news of his father's death, shows deep devotion by praying with his rosary.

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/xv)

Supports his mother's wish to bury Mr. Shimerda at the crossroads, indifferent to future road plans.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/xvi)

Helps dig the grave with Jelinek and participates in the funeral rites.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/xvii)

Works alongside Ántonia, breaking sod with oxen; he is sullen and dishonest about breaking the saw.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/xviii)

Provokes the fight by returning a ruined collar and kicking Jake; later uses Marek's wages for Masses.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/xix)

Referenced by Jim as someone Ántonia tries to imitate.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/i)

Comes to town alone, avoids sharing news of his family, and hires Ántonia out for farm work.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/ii)

Argues with Mrs. Harling over Ántonia's wages and allowance, insisting that all her earnings be paid to him.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/iii)

Shows surliness and hostility, refusing to acknowledge the newborn.

### [The Shimerdas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/i)

Ántonia's brother, now a farmer with a fat wife who bosses him, is mentioned as part of the family gathering.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/iii)

Ántonia's son who lingers at Jim's buggy and speaks with him before he leaves.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/ambrosch_shimerda
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters