The Educational Potential of Władysław Stanisław Reymont’s The Peasants in the Eyes of Future Polish Language Teachers

Abstract

The article explores the role of The Peasants by Władysław Reymont in contemporary school education from the perspective of future Polish language teachers. The author examines selected interpretative approaches (biographical, social, plebeian) and presents the results of a survey conducted among Polish philology students. Most of the respondents support keeping The Peasants on the official reading list – at least in excerpts – emphasising its universality, cultural significance, and literary value.

Despite reception challenges (language, length, cultural distance), the novel is seen as a valuable source of reflection on identity, community, nature, and the passage of time. Future teachers highlight the need for varied teaching methods – such as drama, projects, debates, or comparative analyses – to engage students and show the work’s ongoing relevance. When taught effectively, The Peasants can become more than just a text about the past; it can serve as a starting point for meaningful conversations about the present.