# Chapter III explained — The Peasants

> Chapter companion for The Peasants by Władysław Reymont.

## What happens

Boryna attends the law court in Timow to confront Eva over her claims, while the village women scutch flax and the community grumbles about moral decay and disobedience. The chapter depicts Boryna's domestic tensions with his son Antek and his preparations for the fair, as well as the bustling court scene where Eva insults him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Peasant Life and Labor

Detailed depiction of women scutching flax, men preparing for court, and the daily round of farm work.

### Social Class and Injustice

The court scene highlights the power dynamics between peasants and officials, and Eva's legal claim against Boryna reflects class tensions.

### Community and Conflict

Village gossip about moral decay, family quarrels between Boryna and Antek, and the public confrontation with Eva.

## Character check-ins

### Maciej Boryna

Drives to Timow for the court case against Eva, quarrels with his son Antek, and gives orders to Yuzka and Vitek before leaving.

### Yagna Borynova

Scutches flax outside the churchyard, exchanges a flirtatious smile with Boryna.

### Antek Boryna

Quarrels with his father Boryna over work and inheritance, refuses to obey orders.

### Yuzka Boryna

Milks cows, prepares breakfast, and receives instructions from Boryna about selling meat and managing the household.

### Eva

Appears at the court in Timow with her child, insults Boryna and tries to claw at him.

### Vitek

Audaciously replies to Boryna's order to tend the cattle, then hides behind the barn.

## Key lines

> One has scarce begun to be a man, when he flies in his father's face, loudly demanding a portion of his land; and the young only scoff at the old.

As soon as a boy becomes a man, he defies his father and demands land, while the youth mock the elderly.

_Reflects the generational conflict and theme of social decay discussed by the villagers._

> A girl as graceful as a hind!

A girl as graceful as a deer.

_Boryna's admiring thought about Yagna as he drives away from the flax-scutching._

> Silence, you bitch, or I'll give you such a drubbing that your own mother won't know you!

Shut up, you wretch, or I'll beat you so badly that even your mother won't recognize you.

_Boryna's angry retort to Eva's insults in the crowded courtroom._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_peasants_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters