# Dominikova — The Peasants character guide

> Dominikova in The Peasants by Władysław Reymont.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Dominikova

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

A sharp-tongued widow who has already signed her land away to her children, she now fights to secure a marriage settlement for her son Dominik with a mother's ruthless cunning.

## Who they are

Old Dominikova is the shrewd widow whose bargaining over her son Dominik's marriage settlement becomes the talk of Lipka, a woman the villagers compare to a bitch defending her puppies. Having handed over her best acres to her own children and been left to lodge in another's dwelling, she knows exactly what a marriage contract is worth and drives a hard bargain for her boy. Her negotiations with Boryna's household set the terms on which the young people's futures — and the old man's — will be decided.

## Relationships

### [Yagna Borynova](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/characters/yagna_borynova)

_family_

Dominikova is Yagna's mother-in-law, who resents and distrusts her for her beauty and behavior.

### [Antek Boryna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/characters/antek_boryna)

_family_

Antek is Dominikova's son, and their relationship is fraught with tension over his choices and her disapproval.

### [Yagna Borynova](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/characters/yagna_borynova)

_family_

Dominikova is Yagna's mother-in-law, who resents and distrusts her for her beauty and behavior.

### [Antek Boryna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/characters/antek_boryna)

_family_

Antek is Dominikova's son, and their relationship is fraught with tension over his choices and her disapproval.

### [Yagna Borynova](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/characters/yagna_borynova)

_family_

Dominikova is Yagna's mother-in-law, who resents and distrusts her for her beauty and behavior.

### [Antek Boryna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/characters/antek_boryna)

_family_

Antek is Dominikova's son, and their relationship is fraught with tension over his choices and her disapproval.

## In the story

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

Yagna's mother, mentioned as the old dame reading aloud in the cabin.

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

Dominikova, Yagna's mother, rules her household with an iron hand and reluctantly agrees to let Boryna's friends come for a betrothal.

### [The Betrothal of Boryna and Yagna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters/viii)

Negotiates the marriage settlement for her daughter Yagna.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters/xi)

Yagna's mother, who warns her about Antek and the smith, and argues with her about cutting her hair after the wedding.

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

Yagna's mother, helps manage the household and exchanges knowing glances with Boryna.

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

Dominikova is blamed by the villagers for Yagna's behavior and drives away busybodies from her door.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters/vi)

Engages in a tense exchange with Yagustynka about children and upbringing.

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

Struggles with her rebellious sons who refuse to obey her, leading to daily quarrels; she is forced to work at home and calls on Yagna for help.

### [The Stirring Against the Germans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters/x)

Suspected of avenging herself on Matthew by spreading rumors about Teresa.

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

Dominikova urges Yagna to claim her rights, curses Hanka upon leaving, and later weeps silently after the quarrel with the Voyt's wife.

### [Simon's Wedding and the Struggle for Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_peasants_se/chapters/vi)

Simon and Andrew's mother, who is bitter about the wedding and threatens Andrew if he gets tipsy.

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

Sitting outside spinning with a bandage over her eyes; calls Yagna when Yanek visits.

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

Dominikova is half-blind and overwhelmed, struggling to manage the farm. She confronts Yagna about the rumors and her past sins, weeping in despair.

## Links

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