The Peasants · Chapter
The Betrothal of Boryna and Yagna explained
News of Boryna's proposal to Yagna spreads through Lipka, sparking gossip and outrage.
What happens
News of Boryna's proposal to Yagna spreads through Lipka, sparking gossip and outrage. The villagers discuss the impropriety of the match, while Boryna's children remain ignorant. That evening, a betrothal party is held at the tavern, where Boryna agrees to settle six acres on Yagna, and the celebration grows rowdy.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Injustice
The marriage is seen as unjust by villagers, who resent Yagna's rise in status despite her past dalliances, highlighting class tensions.
Community and Conflict
The village erupts in gossip and debate over the betrothal, foreshadowing family and community conflict.
Gender Roles and Family
Yagna is treated as a bargaining chip in a land deal; Dominikova negotiates her future, while Boryna's children are excluded from decision-making.
Characters to notice
- Maciej Boryna
Arranges marriage with Yagna, hosts betrothal party, agrees to land settlement.
- Yagna Borynova
Betrothed to Boryna; accepts gifts and settlement coolly.
- Dominikova
Negotiates the marriage settlement for her daughter Yagna.
- Antek Boryna
Absent from the village during the news; his potential reaction is feared.
- Simon the Soltys
Acts as matchmaker and host at the betrothal party.
- Ambrose
Drunkenly participates in the betrothal celebration.
Key passages
“The Voyt had gone over to her with the proposal. His wife, whom he had severely forbidden to breathe a single word about the matter until he had come back with the answer, waited till evening to visit an acquaintance, on the pretext of borrowing some salt; and as she went away, she took her good friend apart, and whispered: 'Do you know what? Boryna has just sent a proposal to Yagna, daughter of Dominikova.'”
The Voyt delivered the marriage proposal, but his wife, despite being ordered to keep it secret, spread the news under the guise of borrowing salt.
Illustrates how gossip spreads rapidly in the village despite attempts at secrecy.
“'The whole village will be the worse for this!'”
Old Klemba predicts that the marriage will bring trouble to everyone in Lipka.
Foreshadows the conflict and upheaval the marriage will cause.
“Boryna rushed to welcome and embrace and hug them warmly, knowing that Yagna was already as good as his own.”
Boryna greeted the party enthusiastically, confident that Yagna was now his betrothed.
Shows Boryna's possessiveness and joy at securing the match.
“'Yagna is yours—yes, yours, Matthias!' 'Thanks, Mother, for your gift of her.'”
Dominikova formally gives Yagna to Boryna, who thanks her for the 'gift' of his bride.
Highlights the transactional nature of the marriage, with Yagna treated as property.
“Settle six acres on her, you: those six where you grew potatoes last summer—close to the road.' 'My very best fields!' 'Yagna too is the pick of the village.'”
Dominikova demands six acres of Boryna's best land as a settlement, arguing that Yagna is worth it.
Reveals the economic bargaining central to the marriage arrangement.
