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Theme: The essay Voyage d’Auvergne discussed the seasonal dynamics of both the working and casual lives of the French peasants.
Argument: In spite of the evident prejudice against peasant men found in the article written by Pierre Jean Baptiste le Grand d’Aussy, the author succeeded in conveying the resourcefulness of the French peasantry in managing their few resources and harsh lives.
Supporting evidence: Use of words “savages” and “barbarous” indicated a profound prejudice on the part of the author. In gathering under the same roof as the farm animals and constructing low windows and doors, peasants utilized the body warmth generated by many mammals. During the winter months, when forced inside by the cold, the peasants took advantage of the relative close quarters by socializing and dancing.
Connection: d’Aussy, with his descriptions of the harsh lives of the peasantry in a primary document, reinforced the arguments made by Smith and Cavanaugh regarding the incredible poverty of the peasantry. Both authors described the peasants in subsistence conditions.