# Simon the Soltys — The Peasants character guide

> Simon the Soltys in The Peasants by Władysław Reymont.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Simon, Soltys

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

The village mayor, blunt and proverb-prone, who speaks hard truths to his neighbors' faces and knows that gossip burns the hands that try to quench it.

## Who they are

Simon the Soltys holds the village's official authority, settling disputes and offering unsolicited counsel in the same breath. He tells Boryna frankly that marrying a woman young enough to be his daughter invites scorn, and his warnings prove uncomfortably accurate as the household turns cold. As mayor he stands between the peasants and the outside world of squires and officials, making him a barometer of the community's shifting temper.

## In the story

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

Simon is Yagna's brother, working with her in the cabbage plantation.

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

Acts as matchmaker and host at the betrothal party.

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

Rushes in to summon the Voyt for official business.

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

Warns Gregory about speaking rashly; his wife opposes the plan.

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

Simon is the Soltys (village head), present during the Squire's visit and involved in the villagers' discussions about the Squire's intentions.

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

Broken-hearted after Dominikova refuses him land and cabin; he threatens violence.

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

Works relentlessly on his new land, building a hut and preparing for his wedding despite poverty and skepticism.

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

Simon is mentioned as being always in Lipka, burdened with taking care of two farms, and is resented by Dominikova.

## Links

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