# V explained — The Peasants > Chapter companion for The Peasants by Władysław Reymont. ## What happens Boryna goes to the scrivener to file a complaint against the manor-folk for the death of his cow and the beating of his boy, then meets Yagna in the marketplace and flirts with her. Later, he negotiates a wage increase with his farmhand Kuba, lecturing him on social order. The chapter closes with a lyrical description of late autumn's decay and the village's quiet preparations for winter. ## Themes in this chapter ### Social Class and Injustice Boryna's legal complaint against the manor-folk and his lecture to Kuba about maintaining social order highlight class tensions and the desire for justice. ### Nature and the Seasons The extended description of late autumn—pale days, hoarfrosts, falling leaves, and the stork—underscores the season's melancholy and the village's rhythm. ### Peasant Life and Labor Kuba's wage negotiation and Boryna's assessment of his worth as a farmhand reflect the economic realities and labor relations of peasant life. ## Character check-ins ### Maciej Boryna Files a legal complaint against the manor, flirts with Yagna in the marketplace, and negotiates Kuba's wages. ### Antek Boryna Exchanges harsh words with his father Boryna, demanding money for drink and food. ### Yagna Borynova Meets Boryna at the capmakers' stalls; they engage in playful, flirtatious banter. ### Kuba Negotiates a wage increase with Boryna, initially demanding four paper roubles but settling for three roubles and two shirts. ### Vitek Feeds a broken-winged stork near Boryna's cornstacks. ## Key lines > Then bargain away, if it amuses you. Boryna dismissively tells the Jews to continue their haggling if they find it entertaining. _Shows Boryna's impatience with the Jewish merchants examining his wheat._ > Just get hold of the keeper, fasten him to a pine-trunk, and cudgel him till his ribs clatter: then you'll have justice done! Antek sarcastically suggests that his father should take violent revenge on the gamekeeper rather than seek legal redress. _Highlights Antek's contempt for formal justice and his preference for direct action._ > Yes; coin your blood to money, and give it away to all! Boryna bitterly reflects that he works hard to earn money only to have it taken by others. _Reveals Boryna's resentment at being constantly asked for money._ > As sure as a Pater ends with Amen, you'll get a verdict in your favour! The scrivener assures Boryna that winning the case is as certain as the end of a prayer. _Demonstrates the scrivener's confidence and his manipulation of legal language._ > I am not a brute beast, and know what words mean. Kuba defends his intelligence, insisting he understands Boryna's lecture about social hierarchy. _Shows Kuba's dignity and awareness of his subordinate position._ > In whatsoever nook you are, God will hear you: fear nothing. Boryna tells Kuba that God listens to prayers from any corner of the church, so he need not push to the front. _Reflects Boryna's use of religion to reinforce social order._ > Four paper roubles more, with a silver one besides, and I'll stay with you! Kuba boldly demands a significant raise of four paper roubles plus a silver rouble to remain in Boryna's service. _Illustrates Kuba's temporary assertiveness after drinking vodka._ > See him! behold how grandly this lame one is prancing! Boryna mocks Kuba for acting above his station, calling him 'lame' to humiliate him. _Shows Boryna's cruelty and the power dynamics between master and servant._ > The agreement is made, then: three roubles and a couple of shirts. Kuba confirms the final terms of his wage increase: three roubles and two shirts as earnest money. _Marks the resolution of the negotiation, with Boryna reluctantly conceding._ > Autumn was growing ever more and more autumnal. The season of autumn was deepening, becoming more characteristic of itself. _Opens the lyrical passage on the encroaching winter._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters/v - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_peasants_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters