Jagna and Dominikowa

This thread follows Dominikowa’s plans for her daughter, her control of the family, and the rupture that accompanies Jagna’s expulsion.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Mother’s Authority

A Mother’s Authority A close household Dominikowa governs her sons and daughter with firm authority, preserving Jagna’s comfort and protecting her from ordinary farm work. A future arranged She manages suitors and property negotiations, treating marriage as both a family decision and a means to secure land.

A Marriage Negotiated

A Marriage Negotiated Choosing a wealthy husband Dominikowa accepts Maciej Boryna’s proposal because his status and settlement promise security for Jagna. Maternal calculation She persuades her daughter to consent, while Jagna treats the choice as something her mother is chiefly responsible for making.

Brothers Under Control

Brothers Under Control A family imbalance Dominikowa keeps her adult sons obedient and delays Szymek’s marriage, preserving her command over the household. Resistance grows Szymek’s developing attachment to Nastusia makes the mother’s authority increasingly difficult to maintain.

Mother and Daughter Strained

Mother and Daughter Strained A second household crisis After the men are arrested, Dominikowa’s sons remain in conflict with her, while Jagna stays married to the gravely ill Maciej. Shared vulnerability Mother and daughter depend on one another, but fear, property, and Jagna’s affair steadily poison their closeness.

A Parting Without Reconciliation

A Parting Without Reconciliation Expulsion When Hanka drives Jagna out of the Boryna house, Dominikowa takes her daughter back to her own home. A damaged bond The mother has protected and directed Jagna, but cannot shield her from the village’s judgment or restore their former ease.

early autumn

late autumn

winter

spring

near the ending