Portrayal of peasants and village life in short stories from…

Write a short essay on ONE of the following topics. Be sure to support your arguments by exact references to the material that you have read during Weeks 2 and 3 of this course. Avoid long quotes, and express the ideas found in the texts in your own words as much as possible. The essay should be between 600 and 700 words. Use font size 12 and double space the essay. 1. A number of the short stories that were assigned during weeks two and three of the course describe some aspects of village life, in particular the life of peasants. The culture and beliefs of these peasants seem to be at odds with those of city dwellers. The image of peasants that emerges from these writings is not monolithic or coherent: peasants are presented as simple-minded and uneducated, but sly, honorable, and supportive of education; they are victims but also victimizers. Discuss how the authors that we have read portray the villagers and their lives, their hardships and grievances, their attempts at improving their lot, and their conflict with urbanites and their city culture. Draw your argument from multiple stories.