My Àntonia is a multifaceted novel that belongs to several genres of literature. As the book depicts the lives of immigrants and pioneers in the American West during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it belongs to the genre of historical fiction. The author's portrayal of the harsh realities of life on the frontier provides realistic historical detail and context for the reader. The novel also belongs to the pastoral genre, a type of fiction characterized by romanticized views of rural life. This portrayal was popular in the age of American westward expansion.
Another genre that My Àntonia falls into is the Bildungsroman, or the novel of development. These novels are coming-of-age stories that focus on the moral and psychological growth of a central figure from youth to maturity. Jim Burden's journey from childhood to adulthood is the driving force of the novel. His reflections on his past and present and his journey toward self-discovery are central to the plot.
Lastly, My Àntonia is an immigrant novel. This genre focuses on the contrasting experiences of long-standing and born citizens with those of first-generation American immigrants. Although it tells the story of many characters born in the United States, My Àntonia also explores the experience of living on the American frontier through the eyes of immigrants from places in Eastern Europe and Russia. The novel depicts their struggles and triumphs as they adapt to a new and rapidly changing society.
