Directions: Use the themes, questions and video clips below to teach and learn with portions of C-SPAN's American Writers program featuring Willa Cather and O Pioneers!. Link to the complete video clip list to identify clip descriptions and create your own lessons. Each theme contains questions and video clips appropriate for varying grade levels. Lesson Credit:
C-SPAN 2001 Teacher Fellow, Jeannine Cotner.

1. What were key themes in Cather's works regarding particular groups of people?  How did Cather see the pioneer generation? Immigrants? As compared to the townspeople/merchants of Red Cloud?
2. How is the history of the U.S. from the late 1800s to the early 1900s reflected in Willa Cather's writing? Give an example.
3. According to Willa Cather, what made America great? What were some of these "pioneer virtues?"  As Cather grew older, how did her attitude towards American culture change?
4. What historical events could have caused this change in Cather? Do her later writings reflect this change? If so, how?
5. Who are some people, or groups that Cather might admire in modern society? How might she illustrate them in writing?

1. In Cather's works, what significance does the town of Red Cloud have? Why did it take on this significance?
2. What was Cather's initial impression of Red Cloud and Nebraska? Do her impressions match with either what you have seen or read about this region of the U.S.?
3. How does this initial impression differ from the image she creates of this area in her books? Explain any differences that you observe.
4. How did the places she lived and worked either nurture or inhibit her creativity?
5. Identify how Cather's travels and various homes are reflected in her writings. To what degree does she draw on the places from her own life as either inspirations or settings for her writing?

1. What activities/positions of Cather's would have been rather unusual for a woman at that time? Why?
2. How are women portrayed in Cather's works?
3. How did her own life and the choices she made reflect her view of women's roles?
4. How is spirituality reflected throughout Cather's novels? Consider especially her portrayals of nature. Identify a specific example of spirituality in her written work.
5. What personal experiences may have led Cather to writing in this way?