Neighbor Rosicky Jill Kincer ENG 242/ ASB 472 Critical Review Facilitator: Keith Studebaker Neighbor Rosicky Critical Review I am going to discuss the short story by Willa Cather, Neighbor Rosicky. Iwill be doing such in the form of a critical review looking at such aspects of thestory as the summary, thesis with key passages, description of form and content,followed by my personal response to the story. Neighbor Rosicky is a short story of an old farmer, Anton Rosicky, reflectingback on his life. Early in the story, when Anton Rosicky is in Doctor Burleighsoffice, he learns that he has a bad heart and does not have long to live. He then returns home, plunges into a chair, and begins to sew. While he sews, Rosicky lets his mind run back over his life. He has many memorable experiences. Rosicky has lived in London,New York, and now in Nebraska. Rosicky, formerly a tailor, now makes a living farmingwith his children. Rudolph, Rosickys oldest son, has some trouble supporting his wife,Polly. Rosicky makes many sacrifices to help Rudolphs marriage stay together. He loans the family car and gives some money to Rudolph, even though Rosicky is very poorhimself. Spring arrives, and his children are busy working the fields. When no one elseis around, Rosicky, disregarded his doctors orders, rakes some thistle plants out of oneof his alfalfa fields, but the work is too tough on his heart. Rosicky dies the next day.Rosicky also has a wife, Mary, a daughter, Josephine, and another son, John, and threeother boys who were not named. I believe that the central theme that was being conveyed in the story was that of landownership being the American Dream. Anton Rosicky is a Czech who experienced lifeas an immigrant both in London and New York City and found both lacking. Only in hisKincer 2life on the farm ...
