Hungarian Studies Newsletter, 1975 (3. évfolyam, 6-8. szám)
1975 / 8. szám
ARTICLES (Continued) Gomori, George, “New Developments in the Hungarian Drama," Mosaic VI (Summer 1973), 89-99. Three new trends have emerged in Hungarian drama since 1969. The first of these, the absurd, evoked strong criticism from the State in the 1960s. Miklo's Meszöly’s Az ablakmosó (The Window Washer) was neither published nor performed. However, in the plays of Ge'za Páskándi the absurd was successful. The second trend, the Hungarian grotesque, is a hybrid of the absurd and of conventional realism, with emphasis on the absurdity of reality. István Örkeny’s A Toth csalad (The To'th Family) is a representative of this type. Here, unlike in the absurd, time and place are historically defined, but the characters’ behavior defies “common sense”. Istva'n Csuka also hasaflairforthegrotesque.and his Ki lesz a bálanya (Who Will be the Patroness of the Ball) reflects the dissatisfaction of young intellectuals in the early 1960 s. Plays written on the model of the Germanic grand historicomoralistic play tend to deal with the problems of political power. Sa'ndor Fekete’s Hőség hava (The Thermidor) discusses revolutions under the guise of a reevaluation of Robespierre’s fall. Gyula Hernándi’s Falanszter (The Phalanstery) probes the questions of political theory and revolutionary practice through the break-up of a utopian community in mid-19th century Tennessee. The latest drama by Gyula Illyés, Testvérek (Brothers) also belongs to this group. It is a reassessment of György Dózsa, who is no longer presented as an ideologist (as in Illyés’earlier novel) but as an ambitious military leader. □ Illyés, Gyula,“Sándor Petőfi: Poet, Imagination and Nation”, from his Petó'fi, transl. by G.F. Cushing, Mosaic VI (Summer 1973), 51-68. Illyés says that Petőfi was selected by unknown forces to revitalize the Hungarian nation, though this was naturally not known on his birthday: January 1, 1823. Petó'fi’s era was relatively free, so he could write in a great variety of styles. The contemporary interest in folklore was also fortunate, for this was an area Petó'fi knew intimately. Furthermore, the poet introduced new revolutionary ideas in termsof historical Hungarian objectives, citing A'rpád, the Hunyadis, and Ra'ko'czi. Petó'fi was a realist devoted to the truth. His creed was “What is true is natural, and what is natural is good, and in my view beautiful also.” His response to the revolution of 1848 was predictable: he helped to fan the sparks of revolution and he refused to see any possibility of defeat. He saw the revolution as a boiling over or bubbling over of new ideas once the whole body politic became infused with new ideas. This was an idea inherent in the Hungarian forradalom which suggests a boiling process, as it is derived from the word to boil. It is noteworthy that the root of this word does not contain rejection of established authority. After his disillusionment with public affairs. Petó'fi turned inwards in his poetry. He retained his ideals but sought to forge a new lyrical style, only to be cut short by his death on the battlefield. Illyés calls on the admirers of Petó'fi’s poetry to respond to the message as well as to the beauty of his poems. □ Orth, Helen, “Hungary: Stories of Heroic Struggle,” Wilson Library Bulletin 48 (June 1974) 826-831. In Hungary, children read not only fairy tales but for almost a hundred years have been reading classics of Hungarian literature based on historical events. Most of these stories were written in the 19th century, but continue to be populartoday. The most favored authors seem to be Mór Jókai and Géza Gárdonyi. Ferenc MolnaVs A Pál utcai fiúk (The Paul Street Boys) is also popular, and is one of the few novels that presents an urban situation. The books that are popular are those which reflect the real adult world. Fantasy stories are rejected, while tales such as Zsigmond Moricz’s Légy hü mindhalálig (Be Faithful unto Death) continue to be read. The under-six group enjoys the stories of Ferenc Mora and Elek Benedek, while István Fekete is popular for his stories on a pressing problem of the 20th century: conservation. Children, it seems, continue to demand reading that is meaningful in addition to being exciting and adventurous.□ Volgyes, Ivan. “Political Socialization in Eastern Europe," Problems of Communism XXIII (Jan.-Feb.,1974) 46-55. Examines the “softer” methods directed toward changing values in such public domains as education, mass mediaand public communication. The building of socialism rather than anti-imperialism is stressed. The themes in Hungary seem to be: (1) the building of socialism, (2) socialist morality, (3) anti-imperialism, (4) the socialist commonwealth, (5) patriotism, (6) anti-nationalism, (7) anti-individualism, and (8) anti-Stalinism. The survey asserts that the basic socialist doctrines seem to be rejected, and that conformity goes little beyond the acceptance of the legitimacy of the government. □ Gati, Charles. “The Kadar Mystique,” Problems of Communism XXIII (May-June 1974) 23-35. Of the changes that have taken place in Hungary since 1956 the most significant is the emergence of a leniency toward divergent viewpoints and a willingness to accept less than total commitment to the cause. Gati examines Kadár’s political views, stressing his independence, i.e. Marxist- Stalinist views are considered valid only as they better the life of the workers. Kádár seems to have gauged the Russian reaction to NEM correctly. He tends to deliberate extensively before making a decision, but then acts firmly upon it. The NEM is the hallmark of his regime, but he knows the forces which work against the system. For example, in order to provide needed manpower, talent rather than birth had been made the criterion for further education. This works against the children of peasants and workers. Kádár seems to be aware that much depends on his skill in defending the NEM against its detractors in the 1975 Party Congress. □ Sebeok, Thomas A. “John Lotz: A Personal Memoir,” Ural- Altaische Jahrbücher 46 (1974) 1-26. Sebeok traces the major events in the life and career of John Lotz (1913-1973), professor of linguistics and director of the Center for Applied Linguistics. Born in Milwaukee, Lotz grew up in Hungary, receiving his education at the U. of Budapest. He spent years at the U. of Stockholm, and accepted an invitation to Columbia U. in 1947. He was active in various aspects of linguistic research, becoming involved in the work of the Wenner-Gren Foundation and the Haskins Laboratories. He became Director of Columbia’s Language and Communication Research Center, and later obtained ACLS sponsorship of an Uralic and Altaic Committee. The appointment to CAL brought problems, and Lotz retired from the Center in 1971. He continued to work on his schemefora description of the languages of the world and had already convened two congresses for the purpose of discussing this project before he died of a heart attack. The memoir is followed by a complete list of Lotz’s writings. Dr. Sebeok is Prof, of Linguistics at Indiana U. □ NO. 8 1975 HUNGARIAN STUDIES NEWSLETTER 5
