By: Jon The Peasant

"'The Peasant?' Why do you call yourself a Peasant? Why not a Warrior and/or one of the higher, more popular castes? After all, aren't they lowest of the castes? Do you think so poorly of yourself to say you are a Peasant?"

At one time or another, since I started calling myself "The Peasant," intellectuals to antagonists have questioned why I do so. My answer to them all most often was/is simply, "It is who I am," though at times I may add more colorful words depending upon who is asking and how. That answer is true enough, but the reasons behind it may not be known. Until now.

I will answer all of those who've questioned my choice and what is in truth my destiny. It is an answer I hold to be true, for I speak from my heart and from my personal perspective. I will even throw in some thoughts on castes, the books, and our own current society, for these all have a place in my realization.

So with that, let me begin what I will call an Interview with "The Peasant."

"The Peasant? Why do you call yourself a Peasant?" Let me start first with some historical background that led me to this point...

In my Online beginnings, I created a character for role play that would offer something different to the mix then found in Sardaria. This was back when the community still had fictional elements, nearly two years ago, and I wanted to take on a role that was not only different, but reflective of who I am, as was asked. In an effort to portray a side of myself I had not shown before in my prior characterizations elsewhere, it had to be something I could relate to on all levels. This was part of my motivation in previous characters I'd "played" in one form or another, but this time even more so.

As time went by, and my already growing need to be more then just a role player grew, so did my need to find my place in the world - my natural self. I started with the first big step of honestly looking at myself and my heritage, seeking the caste that truly represents who I am most accurately.

I sought my place from a logical point of view, using the information I had gleaned from the books about physical attributes and genealogical backgrounds relating to castes and groups. I looked at my family history and my own background, and examined my way of thinking and reasoning, along with what I sought in life and how I achieved my goals. These things all tempered in the intangibles, such as love of nature and the outdoors.

My size, build, and genetics are of larger proportions than average. I have an innate ability with animals, as well as an awareness and appreciation of the natural world which surrounds us. I find great enjoyment and ease when working with my hands, being very comfortable with tasks involving them and having a love for the creativity I can express through my work. I possesses a strong work ethic and passion for physical labor. I have a lasting desire to carry on my family heritage and traditions, which is associated with a sense of pride in doing a job right no matter how much work has to be done to make it so. And my blunt and direct way of talking typically, and a sometimes harsh sense of humor, was also factored into this self examination.

Indeed, I did find a strong and natural affinity between myself and the peasant character of the novels and his caste traits. Factor in the point of view that I am whatever caste my father was, as was his father, and his father before him, and I could come to only one logical and natural conclusion. I was and am of the Peasants.

"Why not a Warrior and/or one of the higher more popular castes?" Let me elaborate further...

As I stated earlier, when I role played, I had portrayed characters that were in some way a part of me, one's I could relate to in some small way at least, mentally, emotionally, and physically. I once played a Killer, and based him off a darker side of my personality. I based the role I played in my point of view that they were hired killers serving as avengers, dealers of justice, and quick, silent death. The codes of killing, which if I were one, would be the ones I would follow, without use of such weak womanly tools such as poisons.

I also played a Warrior once upon a time, basing the character off my law enforcement training and background. My family had also served in the military, and I hold a deep respect for those who served and serve. Their honor and codes are held for life.

I developed a Tuchuk and Torvaldslander as well, basing those characters off their ruggedness, intelligence, smart ass style, whit, brutality, presence both physically and mentally, wandering natures, adaptability, sense of pride in who they and their people are, and many other tangible and intangible traits.

From Warrior to Tuchuk, I could relate and see parts of myself in all of them while I read the books and interacted Online. That did not and does not mean that I fit within those castes or people. So you might ask, "Then why a Peasant?" To me, that caste holds within it pieces, large and small, of all the characters from the books I had an affinity with. I can relate to the Peasants in almost every way. They are the ones I see reflecting my true self the most. The Peasant is, in my heart and mind, who I am.

"After all aren't they lowest of the castes?"

According to the novels, the Peasants are the lowest on the caste scale. They are the most common and basic caste. There will be no dispute of that by me. But does lowest mean the weakest and least important? Or does lowest mean they were the beginning - the starting point of all the castes?

All things must have a beginning and an end. Would you assume that the Initiates - those pale, weak, skinny, bald, vegetarians - were the foundation of society on Gor? The solid base and starting point of civilization on a harsh, savage world such as the Counter-Earth? Or perhaps would the Peasants - sun beaten, strong, hearty, rough, adaptable, resourceful, persistent omnivores that they are - were they the foundation and the beginning?

In my opinion, the Peasants evolved over time, learning new skills and adapting to the land in groups which slowly formed small communities, these later growing into villages, towns and finally cities. These people at first all held similar duties, but as the community grew, different people took on different roles to fulfill the group's developing needs. Thus slowly, generation after generation progressed to start a civilization that splintered off from the Peasant with different skills and abilities, assisted and guided in part by the Priest Kings, in time becoming what makes up current Gorean society and culture.

This of course speculates on a series of fiction, but indeed draws upon our own history. Look at the phrase often used in the books by the Peasants and by those describing them: "The oxen upon which the Home Stone rests." The oxen represents the foundation. The Home Stone represents civilization and society. While the Home Stone is the center of a community, it is upon the Peasant's shoulders that the community is built and finds stability.

One would need a strong foundation in order to build any society and culture - a strong foundation in order to secure a Home Stone. In the books, it was referenced that the cities, for the most part, started as peasant villages, and that they were the fountain heads of the oldest of cities, including Ar.

Look at the descriptions of the Peasants. They were genetically larger, tougher, and adaptable. They thrived in even the most adverse conditions, taking a piece of land, through hard work and dedication, and turning it into a home, then a village, and in time a city. Their society was based on loyalty, caste codes, honor, work ethic, wisdom, and heritage, traits which together enabled the community to survive and its people coexist. They led simple proud lives with a love for nature, love of work, and love of life. In truth, all castes hold these things dear to some degree or another, but where did that come from?

Examine the scale thus far - Initiates being the top, and Peasants the bottom. Which caste would be the most logical choice to start a society with? How does one build anything? Top to bottom, or bottom to top?

"Do you think so poorly of yourself to say you are a Peasant?"

Look at the Peasants themselves. They were fun loving, peaceful farmers, who live in harmony with nature. They raised their families with values passed down from generation to generation. They taught them the skills necessary to one day contribute their part to the community, perhaps even as caste leader. They instilled in them those qualities necessary to go off with their own personal Home Stones to claim a piece of land as their own, one which might be the start of a future village and more.

Peasants were a self-sufficient people, with many varied skills as needed in their secluded communities, villages full of only their caste fellows. They could work the land, build their own homes, construct their own furnishings, heal their own sick, educate their own children, govern their own people. They raised livestock ranging from food sources to beasts of burden. They trained hunting, tracking, and herding animals such as sleen for sale and use around the villages. They also trained them for specific tasks, such as for a particular customer's use - be it slaver or warrior. They were typically well respected and valued members of Gorean society.

Some peasants were known as awesome fighters and warriors in their own right. They created one of the most feared weapons on Gor, the Peasant Bow. The Peasant Bow takes the sheer power of a Peasant to string and draw, with the exception of the rare man like Tarl Cabot.

Peasants do not bow or scrape to any other castes, or consider themselves less than them, with the only exception being the Initiates, whom they fear out of ignorance for they are supposed to speak for the Priest Kings. They revered Initiates as gods, due to their simple nature and focus not on higher learning, but the world directly around them. However, had they been educated like the higher castes, or had the time and opportunity to seek knowledge and learning out as might others, they would perhaps not even have feared these voices of The Sardar.

The books illustrated the might and strength in battle that the Peasants hold when one, in Slave Girl of Gor, was in a paga tavern beating up on men of "higher standing." Warriors fell to their power and caste loyalty, with the exception of steel, since the Peasant does not use it. Even a Warrior, a wise one, respected and honored such a low caste man.

There are countless more reasons why the Peasant caste should be thought of as being more than the lowest caste on the scale. Only a fool would fail to realize the Peasant's value and respected place.

Do I think so poorly of myself to say I am a Peasant? No, I think that I would be lucky to be considered one of them. I say it with honor and pride, that I am a Peasant.

"Do castes exist or matter in our own modern society and world?" This is a question I myself have asked and often heard others speak on different occasions.

In our world castes and caste structures still do exist and matter. I know that in some countries, societies, and cultures, such as India, even today exists a strict caste system. I remember a Hindu gentleman from my college days speaking of things in his culture and country.

In our own society, in the US of A, we have a more loosely based caste-like system called "classes." We have a basic class structure consisting of the lower, middle, and upper classes, to which each have their own sub classes. This is much like the book based caste system, with its low and high castes, in that you are born - and generally stay - in a particular class or caste. Education is reflective of this, as it living spaces, and while each has the opportunity to grow beyond their birth, most follow in the footsteps of their own. Factor into that the current low-middle-upper class system is that of financial status, and that one can rise or fall within this structure with luck, ability, and drive, though the book-caste structures were more rigid and allowed for a less sought after rise or fall from caste to caste.

Another class or caste structure that exists in our society is that of blue and white collar, which is based upon career, education, and financial status. Blue collar would generally equate to those of lower financial or educational status, and more of a physical type of career - the low castes. White collar would generally equate to a higher financial and/or educational status, with a less physically challenging career - the high castes and perhaps wealthier groups like some fro the Merchant's.

A man or woman is often born into these modern day "castes," and typically stays within them for various reasons. In my own particular case, I was born to a long line of blue collar workers - construction, the land, and such being the main thread. I followed in my family's footsteps, working in a factory. I began as a material handler, and then moved up to building cabinets for information storage systems and servers. Both jobs were very physical, and are the style of work I have preferred since I first worked for my father in high school doing construction.

I recently moved from a cabinet builder to another type of job within the plant where I work, and a different class structure. I changed from blue collar to white collar by becoming a test operator, which is an entry level technical position - i.e., more money with less physical labor. I thought I was improving my life, but have discovered over the last three months that more money and an easier job does not mean a happier life. It does mean I can have more time, but does not mean it suits my nature.

I am who I am by blood, by nature and by practice. I am blue collar caste - a Peasant - and nothing can change that. Nor for that matter, would I want anything to change that. I am proud of who I am and of who my family is. Though we are not wealthy, we are strong and proud of our work and what we do. Whether it be building a dog house or a computer cabinet, or a greater structure, we take pride in our work. I will continue to do my new job within the best of my ability - my family's and my own work ethic would allow no less. I will just have to find an outlet for my blue collar, peasant side, so I can again be truly happy.

In all this, I learned one of the truest life lessons I have ever known. I learned it only since I accepted my nature and who I am. Your own nature will tell you what you are, if you are smart enough to listen. And if you go against it's design you, will feel it's wrath with sorrow and pain. If you accept and cherish it, you will know freedom and happiness.

I am a modern day Peasant. I am a man. I am who I am by nature's design. I am proud to be who I am. I am Jon "The Peasant" Stubbs.

- Jon the Peasant
© 2001 All Rights Reserved