# Otto Fuchs — My Ántonia character guide

> Otto Fuchs in My Ántonia by Willa Cather.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Otto, Fuchs, Formerly Fuchs, XV Otto Fuchs, XV

**First appearance:** 0005-i

## Who they are

A weathered Austrian cowboy with a missing ear and stitched boots, who ropes steers for a boy and prays Psalms beside the hired men.

## Relationships

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

_friendship_

Grandmother Burden and Otto Fuchs share a friendly, cooperative relationship as she manages the household and he works as a hired hand.

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

_friendship_

Jake and Otto are fellow hired hands on the Burden farm, sharing a rough camaraderie and mutual respect.

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

_friendship_

Grandmother Burden and Otto Fuchs share a friendly, cooperative relationship as she manages the household and he works as a hired hand.

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

_friendship_

Grandmother Burden and Otto Fuchs share a friendly, cooperative relationship as she manages the household and he works as a hired hand.

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

_friendship_

Jake and Otto are fellow hired hands on the Burden farm, sharing a rough camaraderie and mutual respect.

## In the story

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

The Burdens' hired man, a rugged and colorful figure who meets them at the station.

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

Otto is an Austrian cowboy who works for the Burdens. He shows Jim his cowboy gear and promises to teach him roping.

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

Drives Jim and grandmother to the Shimerdas' and explains the family's difficult situation.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/iv)

Directs Jim's first ride and shares the legend of sunflowers being planted by Mormons.

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

First to see the dead snake; comments on Jim's luck and skill.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/ix)

Builds the sleigh for Jim, tells a story about a woman with triplets on a ship, and sings cowboy songs.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/xi)

Makes tallow candles and decorates the Christmas tree with paper figures from his mother in Austria, adding to the festive spirit.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/xii)

Writes a letter to his mother on Christmas Day, a tradition he keeps wherever he is.

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

Rides to Black Hawk for the coroner and priest; describes the scene of the suicide.

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

Builds the coffin for Mr. Shimerda, sharing tales of his past while working.

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

Decides to return to the 'wild West' and leaves with Jake; later sends a card from the Yankee Girl Mine.

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

Mentioned as one of the early friends from Jim's past who persists in his memory.

## Links

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