# Chapter IX: All Souls' Day explained — The Peasants

> Chapter companion for The Peasants by Władysław Reymont.

## What happens

On All Souls' Day, the village of Lipka is enveloped in mourning and religious observance. The chapter juxtaposes the communal rituals for the dead with the personal turmoil within the Boryna household, where the announcement of Boryna's engagement to Yagna has caused deep conflict. Antek, consumed by jealousy and despair, remains isolated while Roch offers spiritual consolation to the gathered villagers.

## Themes in this chapter

### Tradition and Religion

The chapter centers on All Souls' Day observances, including church bells, dziads, and offerings for the dead, highlighting the community's deep religious and folk traditions.

### Community and Conflict

The village unites in mourning, but the Boryna household is fractured by Boryna's engagement to Yagna, creating a private conflict that contrasts with public piety.

### Poverty and Survival

Roch's sermon emphasizes earthly suffering and the hope of salvation, reflecting the peasants' harsh lives and their reliance on faith to endure.

## Character check-ins

### Antek Boryna

Sits apart, staring out the window, consumed by anguish over Yagna's engagement to his father.

### Roch

Pilgrim and storyteller, reads pious legends and offers comfort to the villagers gathered at Boryna's cabin.

### Yagna Borynova

Recently engaged to old Boryna; her presence is felt through the tension she causes in the family.

### Maciej Boryna

Spends the day at Yagna's, avoiding his family after the engagement announcement.

### Yuzka Boryna

Cries constantly, distressed by the family discord following her father's engagement.

### Kuba

Shaves Boryna in the morning, part of the household routine amidst the tension.

## Key lines

> I fought for a whole year: killed more than one Russian grey dog … more than two, even.

I fought for an entire year, killing several Russian soldiers.

_Roch recounts his participation in the insurrection against Russian rule._

> All had been burned down to the ground. … And the old Squire … and his lady … and my mother too … all lay in the garden, slaughtered!

The manor and everything were destroyed, and the Squire, his wife, and my mother were all killed.

_Roch describes the tragic aftermath of the uprising._

> It is not terrible to die. … As birds in winter fly to a warmer land, so do our weary little souls long to fly to Jesus.

Death is not frightening; like birds migrating to warmth, our souls yearn to go to Jesus.

_Roch offers spiritual comfort to the gathered villagers._

## Links

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