Hungarian Studies Newsletter, 1975 (3. évfolyam, 6-8. szám)

1975 / 6. szám

ARTICLES AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Austerlitz, Robert and John Hammer (eds.) “The Career and Publications of John Lotz.” The Linguistic Reporter 16

(September 1974) pp. 15-19.

This comprehensive list of Lotz’s personal data such as on education, positions held, honors received, projects directed, and conferences arranged, as well as a bibliography including unpublished manuscripts, was prepared by Lotz himself before his death in 1973. The authors edited the material for this publication. Copies may be obtained from the Center for Applied Linguistics, 1611 North Kent Street, Arlington, VA 22209

Vincze, Lajos, “Organization of Work in Herding Teams of the Great Hungarian Plain.” Ethnology, 13,2 (April 1974) pp. 159- 168.

The author stated that “Pastoralism on the Hungarian Plain showed many basic similarities to the open-range herding of the American continent: both produced for the market, used extensive technology in the management of pastures and herds, and recruited hired labor from a socially distinguishable occupation group.” He points out the differences saying that “the Hungarian Plain herding was economically complimentary to cultivation, . . .ever diminishing pastures required differential and specialized exploitation of grazing areas and herds, ...(owners delegated) menagerial power and responsibility to a person in full command of the work group (számado-bojtár),.. .and discipline and regulated division of labor become essential within the team.” Vincze explains why ranch-type husbandry, characteristic of the Americas, has not developed on the Hungarian Plain, where in the frontier area the tanya settlement system was dominated by agricultural rather than pastoral interests.

Bako, Elemer, “Most Faithful unto Death.” The Story of Colonel Michael de Kovats of Hungary, Commandant of the Pulaski Legion (1724-1779).” The American Bicentennial.

1, 2 (July/August 1974) pp.6-7, and 39-42. (Published by the American Bicentennial, Inc., P.O. Box 364, Garrett Park, MD 20766)

On January 13, 1777 Maj. Gen. Michael de Kovats, formerly with various hussar regiments of the Austrian and Prussian

(Continued on page 4)

BOOKS (Continued from page 2) bibliography complete the volume.

Nyerges, Anton N. POEMS OF ATTILA JÓZSEF. Buffalo, NY: Hungrian Cultural Foundation, 1973.224 pages, illustr., $7.80 paper. Publication no 3. in the Program in East European and Slavic Studies of the State U. of New York, Buffalo.

Attila József (1905-1937) was a revolutionary poet of the Hungarian worker. His greatness rests of having brought into verse a reality about social and economic conditions that was not there before him. He emerged in an empoverished Hungary as son of a day laborer and a housemaid. World War I, dismemberment of the ancient kingdom, and economic depression made most every Hungarian share in economic hardship. The antiquated socio-economic system lacked flexibility to adjust to such momentous adverse forces, and the underprivileged segments of the society were asked to bear more than their share of the burden. József lived through these years in virtual starvation, and his reactions have not followed conventional lines of protest. He spoke for himself as well as for the unfranchised workers when he demanded human rights and more food. He “was the stark and solitary symbol of a profound national and cultural crisis.” It was logical that such a rebel should join the illegal Communist Party, and it was equally logical that he should be divested of his membership for lack of conformity. He underwent psychiatric care and at the age of 32 committed suicide. He was buried near Lake Balaton where he died, only to be exhumed five years later and moved to a site of national honor in Budapest.

This is an anthology of Jozsef’s poems, translated by the author and edited by Joseph M. Ertavy-Baráth. A four-part introduction and an autobiography at the end of the volume give ample information on the poet’s life history. Some 200 poems, notes to the poems, illustrations, text of a political pamphlet, and a bibliography complete the volume. The author, a former Foreign Service Officer, is Professor of Literature, at Eastern Kentucky University, and author of Poems of Endre Ady (1969), and Petőfi (1973). See above.

Vardy, Agnes H. A STUDY IN AUSTRIAN ROMANTICISM: HUNGARIAN INFLUENCES IN LENAU'S POETRY. Buffalo, NY: Hungarian Cultural Foundation, 1973.173 pages, biblio, appendix, $6.00 paper. Publication no. 6. of the Program in East European and Slavic Studies of the U. of New York, Buffalo.

Nikolaus Lenau (1802-1850) was one ofthe great lyric poets of his time. Although he is known primarily as a representative of the late romantic Weltschmertz period, he was also an important transmitter of Hungarian culture to the neighboring German-speaking lands. Although an Austrian who wrote in German, Lenau was born and reared in Hungary, and thus was the product of two distinct cultures. The influence and confluence of these two cultures are fully reflected in the content, mood, and spirituality of his poetry. The study attempts to enhance our understanding of the interaction of the two cultures which existed side by side for over a millenimum - for centuries in the same political unit, the Habsburg Empire.

The volume is prefaced by a description of the historical setting of Lenau’s life and work, and a chapter on the Age of Romanticism by Steven B. Vardy. Subsequent chapters deal with Hungarian normative vs. actual values and symbols, and with the difficulty foreign observers have in knowing what is representative for what portion of the population. Lenau was not exempt from such difficulities when portraying an image of The Hungarian. He, as most other writers and poets, was fascinated by the exotic, the unusual, the romantic, the sensational as by the hussars, by the Gypsies, and by the outlaws.

The author presents a scholarly biography of Lenau with emphasis on his Hungarian relations, then devotes three chapters to his Hungarian-related poetry. She concludes that as far as intercultural communication is concerned, “Lenau’s uniqueness and significance lies in his ability to recreate Hungarian images in their full intensity.” Extensive notes, bibliography, glossary and an appendix containing Lenau’s poems on Hungarian themes (in German) complement the text. The author is Assist. Prof, in the Humanities Dept, of Robert Morris College, Pittsburgh, Pa.

HUNGARIAN STUDIES NEWSLETTER No. 6, 1975

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