Question

Every farmer had first to do his dues at the manor house, whether with his team or on foot. Only then could he work his own land, sowing and reaping at night. No excuse as to pressing needs at home was of any use. If one did not appear as ordered, at once the overseer would come. If he found the wife busy cooking he would throw a pail of water on the fire.

–The Life of a Polish Peasant,
Jan Slomka

According to this passage what kind of life could a peasant expect to live?

a life of hard work, little time for oneself or family, and harsh living conditions
a life of farming for both the manor and his own family with pleasant living conditions
a life of tending to family needs and then to the needs of the manor
a life of farming with a team of workers they manage and keep organized

Answer 1

a life of hard work, little time for oneself or family, and harsh living conditions

The passage shows peasants had to work first for the manor (often at night), faced strict overseers, and had little regard for family needs.