The Peasants: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Peasants" is a narrative centered on the lives and relationships of the villagers in Lipka, Poland, highlighting the complexities of peasant life and the challenges of family dynamics. The major characters include Matthias Boryna, a wealthy but troubled peasant who endures personal strife due to his third wife's infidelities, particularly with his own son, Antek. Yagna, Matthias's young wife, is portrayed as self-serving and promiscuous, causing turmoil within the Boryna family and ultimately facing ostracism from the village. Antek, deeply affected by his love for Yagna, grapples with familial loyalty and personal tragedy, including a stint in prison after taking violent action to defend his father. Hanka, Antek's devoted wife, represents resilience and loyalty as she manages the family farm in her husband's absence while dealing with her father-in-law’s illness. Other characters, such as Dominikova, the domineering mother of Yagna, and the opportunistic Voyt, further illustrate the varied motivations and moral complexities within this tight-knit community. The interplay of love, betrayal, and societal pressures among these characters creates a rich tapestry that reflects the struggles of peasant life in Poland.
The Peasants: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Wadysaw Reymont
First published: Chopi, 1904–1909 (English translation, 1924–1925)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Poland
Plot: Social
Time: Late nineteenth century
Matthias Boryna (mah-TEE-yas boh-REW-nah), a well-to-do peasant, the leading man of Lipka village in Poland. Though he is sixty years old and has already outlived two wives, he is thinking of marrying again. That his grown children wish him to retire and divide his land among them makes no difference. Sorrow comes of his marriage, for he unwisely takes a wanton as his third wife. Worst of all, she takes Matthias Boryna's married son as her lover. The old man learns to endure having such a wife, but at great cost to his peace of mind. He turns for moral support to Hanka, his son's wife, and asks her and her children to live in his house, for he is a kindly, if headstrong, man. During a battle to protect timber claimed by the peasants from being cut by the owner of a nearby manor, Matthias is severely wounded. He lies many months in a stupor, neglected by his wife but nursed tenderly by his daughter-in-law, until he dies.
Yagna, Matthias Boryna's young wife, the prettiest girl in Lipka village. She turns out to be a common trull, taking up with whatever man her fancy falls on at the moment. She has an affair with Antek Boryna, her stepson, who truly loves her and is intensely bitter when the girl marries his father. Concerned only for herself, Yagna is not sorry for the trouble she brings to the Boryna family. Her only feeling while her husband lies injured for many weeks is bitterness that he still lives. She goes too far at last by chasing after a young man of the village who is studying to be a priest. The indignant villagers carry her out of Lipka on a dung cart and warn her not to return. The shock of the treatment leaves her insensible for weeks.
Antek Boryna, Matthias' grown son, a man as headstrong as his father. Sick with love for Yagna, he leaves his father's house and becomes a common laborer, neglecting his wife and children. After he kills the forester who has injured his father, he and Matthias are reconciled. Antek, in prison for many weeks, returns to find his father dead. He becomes master of the Boryna farm, a position that strengthens him to put aside his feelings for Yagna, though she still means much to him.
Hanka, Antek Boryna's loving wife. Deserted by her husband, she cares for herself and her children. A woman driven by the peasant's love of the land and its ownership, she looks after the Boryna farm and wealth while her husband is in prison and her father-in-law lies ill. She loves her husband deeply and readily accepts him when he gives up his affair with Yagna.
Dominikova (doh-mih-nih-KOH-vah), Yagna's widowed mother, a selfish, land-hungry, domineering old woman who treats her grown sons as though they were slaves and will not let them marry.
Kuba Soha, an old hired man on the Boryna farm, a veteran who had fought against the Russians. He turns poacher and is wounded by the local squire's forester for taking game. He dies when he tries to amputate his own leg.
Yuzka, the young sister of Antek Boryna.
The Voyt, the elected headman of the village, a man who feathers his own nest and is distrusted by the people of Lipka. He is eventually caught by the government for stealing several thousand rubles of public money. He is one of Yagna's lovers.
Yanek (YAH-nehk), the son of the village organist, an honest, religious young man who has begun his studies for the priesthood. Although Yagna Boryna openly pursues him, he cannot believe she is as bad as village gossip says she is. His family finally sends him away to protect him from the girl.
Simon, one of Dominikova's grown sons. He rebels against his mother's domination and manages to buy a few acres of land to till for himself and his wife.
Nastka, Simon's young wife, whom he marries against his mother's will.
Roch (rohk), a wandering beggar and religious man who teaches the children to read and serves the village as a physician. An honest and trustworthy man much beloved by the peasants, he is hunted out by the Russians because he teaches the Polish peasants to read in their own language and encourages them to remain patriotic Poles.
Matthew, a carpenter and millwright, one of Antek Boryna's rivals for Yagna's favors.
Teresa, a young peasant girl who loves Matthew.
The Blacksmith, Antek Boryna's brother-in-law, a selfish man who would like to drive Antek off the Boryna farm and take it over on the strength of being the husband of Antek's sister. He constantly plots against the other Borynas.