Final answer:
Village life was direct and self-sufficient, with surplus production leading to the rise of early civilizations, specialization, and economic interdependence. Post-Roman Empire society and 19th-century economic shifts further brought complex social changes. Surplus played a fundamental role in these transitions, from social stratification to reliance on market economies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Life in the village was different and new compared to city life, primarily due to the agricultural surplus that affected every aspect of village life. For instance, village life was characterized by minimal waste as table scraps went to animals, clothing was mended, and communities were closely-knit. However, the surplus, a result of improved agricultural practices, led to a significant change. It supported larger families, encouraged population growth, and fostered the rise of early civilizations with the division of labor.
With surplus production, communities could support professions other than farming, like artisan and religious roles. This also meant that villages became more stratified and social hierarchies emerged, as evidenced by the different types of burials discovered by archaeologists. This system of specialization and exchange allowed for a bustling market economy and the very fabric of life transformed, with people relying on others for commodities and services, a stark contrast to the self-sufficient rural lifestyle.
Furthermore, the shift to an economy based on surplus and exchange led to social and economic changes that affected the individual's place in the community, particularly post the fall of the Roman Empire and during the economic upheavals of the 19th century. The resulting complex social dynamics made some people nostalgic for simpler times while others embraced the new ways of living.