Maattomia: Yhteiskunnallinen Maalaisromaani

A novel written in the early 20th century. This work touches on themes of social struggle and the struggles of land ownership in rural society, focusing on the lives of several laborers and their interactions with landowners. The narrative likely explores the tension between the newly emancipated laborers and the older generations of landowners, with a central character, Aapo, navigating the complexities of gaining his own land. The opening of ''Maattomia'' introduces readers to the busy hay fields of Savuniemi, where the laborers are engaged in a frantic effort to collect hay before an approaching storm. The scene is characterized by a palpable tension between the men and their employer, Hentu, who is frustrated by their pace and resistant to the new laws granting the laborers rights to the land. Characters express their discontent, illustrating the growing frustration with the socio-economic system that perpetuates their struggles. As the rain begins to fall and the conflicts between the workers and Hentu escalate, the themes of labor, struggle for land ownership, and social justice begin to surface, setting the stage for the challenges that the characters will face throughout the novel.