Questions

Peasant Fires introduces us to two important issues. On the most general level it speaks to the
task of the historian, how the historian seeks to recover the past and the stories of individuals
who never left written records. More specifically it introduces us to the world of the peasant.

A. Task of the historian

1. In what sense is Peasant Fires a microstudy? Highlight both the advantages and disadvantages
of examining the past through the lens of a microstudy? Come up with a list of at least two
observations in both categories.

2. What do we know about Hans Behem? What are the sources? What don't we know about
this character? How does the author try to fill in the gaps? Do you think this is justifiable? Why
or why not?

3. How does the author construct his discussion of peasant life? What type of frame does he use
to structure his narrative?

4. Is the author’s use of sources and creative license acceptable for a historian? Explain.

5. What general lessons does this text teach us about understanding the past and the nature of
history? Come up with one general observation. Chapter Eight may be helpful here.

B. World of the peasant

6. What part of the story of Hans do you think is most effective in introducing us to the world of
the peasant? Why?

7. The story begins with Mary appearing to shepherd Hans. Why is she such an appealing figure
for Hans? What is her general appeal for late-medieval peasants?

8. What is the importance of Carnival for the peasant? How does it help them survive in a brutal
world?

9. How does Lent contrast to Carnival? What does the celebration of this season tell us about
the life of the peasant?

10. What is Walpurgisnacht and what does this holiday tell us about religious festivals in this
period?

11. Why did people come and see Hans? What would motivate a peasant to participate in a
pilgrimage?

12. In what ways would the church authorities find Hans's movement threatening? Explain.

13. What was happening economically in this period, and how might they have affected this
movement?

14. What is Corpus Christi day? What societal values does this holiday reflect?

15. Who is Bishop Rudolf, and what was his vision of reform? How did this conflict with Hans's
agenda?

16. Wunderli asserts: "Peasants constructed their own narratives of their past--based on
powerful Christian social myths to understand their material present." What does this mean?

17. One of the themes that recurs in this text is time. Wunderli talks about enchanted time and
historical time. What does he mean by this, and how does this help us understand the peasant
world?