# Agata — The Peasants character guide

> Agata in The Peasants by Władysław Reymont.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Agata

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

Aged kinswoman of the Klembas, she returns from a winter of begging just as the spring sun rises, her rags and rosary a living image of the village's poorest.

## Who they are

Agata is the Klembas' ancient kinswoman who spends each autumn and winter walking the roads as a beggar, eating 'bread of our Lord's giving,' and comes home in spring like a homing bird to her native Lipka. Decrepit, short of breath, and dressed in rags, she greets the sunrise over the fields with a joy that makes her one of the novel's most luminous figures. Her return marks the turning of the season and anchors the story in the rhythms of the poorest villagers, whose lives depend on the mercy of those slightly better off.

## In the story

### [Autumn in Lipka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as having left the village to go begging for the winter, exploited by her relatives.

### [Spring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters/spring)

Agata returns to Lipka in spring after her winter begging, her arrival marking the seasonal cycle.

### [Spring's Return to Lipka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters/i)

Returns to Lipka after winter begging, observing the fields and learning of the village's troubles.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters/iii)

Dying in Koziol's hut after being turned out by Klembova.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters/ix)

Lying in her doorway, speaks to Yanek about her impending death and visions of the Virgin Mary.

### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters/xii)

Her death is discussed at supper; she left ten zloty for her burial.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/characters/agata
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/characters