# Frank Shabata — O Pioneers! character guide

> Frank Shabata in O Pioneers! by Willa Cather.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Frank, Shabata, Poor Frank

**First appearance:** 0006-part-ii-neighboring-fields

## Snapshot

A handsome, hot-tempered Bohemian farmer who married Marie in a blaze of romance and now finds himself outmatched by his own jealousy.

## Who they are

Frank came from the old country with silk hats and high connections, and the Divide has ground him down into a surly man quarreling over hogs and fences. He loves Marie with a possessiveness that curdles into suspicion, and his rages are as theatrical as his courtship once was. His volatility shadows the Bergson-Shabata friendship long before it breaks.

## Relationships

### [Marie Shabata](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/marie_shabata)

_family_

Frank and Marie are unhappily married, with Frank's jealousy and possessiveness driving them apart.

### [Alexandra Bergson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/alexandra_bergson)

_social_

Alexandra is a neighbor and occasional confidante to Frank, but their relationship is strained by his bitterness.

### [Emil Bergson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/emil_bergson)

_rivalry_

Emil and Frank are rivals for Marie's affection, culminating in Frank's murderous jealousy.

### [Marie Shabata](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/marie_shabata)

_family_

Frank and Marie are unhappily married, with Frank's jealousy and possessiveness driving them apart.

### [Alexandra Bergson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/alexandra_bergson)

_social_

Alexandra is a neighbor and occasional confidante to Frank, but their relationship is strained by his bitterness.

### [Alexandra Bergson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/alexandra_bergson)

_social_

Alexandra is a neighbor and occasional confidante to Frank, but their relationship is strained by his bitterness.

### [Emil Bergson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/emil_bergson)

_rivalry_

Emil and Frank are rivals for Marie's affection, culminating in Frank's murderous jealousy.

### [Marie Shabata](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/marie_shabata)

_family_

Frank and Marie are unhappily married, with Frank's jealousy and possessiveness driving them apart.

## In the story

### [Part II: Neighboring Fields](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/part-ii-neighboring-fields)

Frank's presence and volatile nature are felt in the neighboring fields.

### [The Divide Transformed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned by Marie as being cranky because she loaned his saddle to Jan Smirka, and she fears he may not take her to the dance.

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

Described as a jealous and sulking husband who feels unappreciated; Alexandra tries to get along with him for Marie's sake.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/vi)

Returns home angry about hogs in his wheat; Marie tries to calm him.

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

A dashing Bohemian immigrant who courts Marie, elopes with her, and becomes a hardworking but periodically dissolute farmer on the Divide.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/viii)

Frank reads about a divorce case, becomes angry at the wealthy, and later goes to a saloon, leaving Marie alone.

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

Frank is mentioned as Marie's difficult husband, whose jealousy and temper contribute to her unhappiness.

### [Part IV: The White Mulberry Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/part-iv-the-white-mulberry-tree)

Marie's jealous husband who murders Emil and Marie in a rage.

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

Sits with Marie at supper, staring at her with a brooding, possessive look; seems disconnected from the festivities.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/v)

Frank hears of Amédée's illness and goes to Sainte-Agnes for discussion at the saloon, leaving Marie alone.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/vi)

Frank attends the confirmation service and later plays cards with old Moise Marcel. Emil observes him with calmness, feeling that Frank lacks the spiritual rapture he himself has found.

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

Consumed by jealousy and rage, Frank shoots Emil and Marie, then flees in terror and guilt.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/viii)

His rifle is found near the scene, implicating him in the deaths.

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

Imprisoned for killing Emil and Marie; Alexandra feels he is the least guilty and plans to visit him.

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

Imprisoned for killing Emil and Marie; speaks with Alexandra, expressing remorse and confusion, and accepts her promise to work for his pardon.

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

Mentioned as being in prison for the murder of Emil and Marie.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/frank_shabata
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters