Utopia Between East and West in Hungarian Literature

This book explores Hungarian utopian and dystopian literature from the 19th and 20th centuries, arguing that it was influenced by the country's position between Western and Eastern European power structures. It discusses early modern texts and focuses on nineteenth-century works by Bessenyei, Madách, and Jókai, as well as twentieth-century works by Karinthy, Babits, and Szathmári. Contemporary scholarship is applied to interpret these texts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 02 January 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book delves into the most significant utopian and dystopian literary works in nineteenth and twentieth-century Hungarian literature, expanding the traditionally Anglophone canon. Utopian studies is increasingly interdisciplinary, merging literary hermeneutics with insights from political science and the history of ideas. Through this approach, the research argues that Hungarian utopianism was shaped by the region's perpetual liminality between Western and Eastern European power structures, social and political orders. After providing a comprehensive methodological introduction, the book explores early modern texts written in Hungary, while the in-depth analyses primarily focus on nineteenth-century works by authors such as Bessenyei, Madách, and Jókai. The twentieth century is represented by authors like Karinthy, Babits, and Szathmári. In interpreting these texts, contemporary scholarship, particularly the works of Lyman Tower Sargent, Gregory Claeys, and Fátima Vieira, is applied.

Introduction:
The study of utopian and dystopian literature has gained increasing prominence in recent years, as scholars seek to understand the social, political, and cultural implications of these genres. This book aims to contribute to this field by exploring the most significant utopian and dystopian literary texts in nineteenth and twentieth-century Hungarian literature. By focusing on these texts, the book widens the scope of the traditionally Anglophone canon and offers new insights into the cultural and intellectual landscape of Hungary during this period.

Utopian Studies:
Utopian studies is an interdisciplinary field that draws on various disciplines, including literature, political science, history, and philosophy. It explores the idealized societies and societies envisioned in literary works and examines the factors that contribute to their creation and collapse. In recent years, utopian studies has become increasingly interdisciplinary, as scholars seek to integrate insights from different fields to better understand the complexities of utopian and dystopian societies.

Hungarian Utopianism:
Hungarian utopianism is a unique and fascinating subgenre of utopian literature. It emerged in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, in response to the political and social turmoil of the time. Hungarian authors sought to create idealized societies that were based on their cultural values and traditions. However, Hungarian utopianism was also influenced by the region's position of permanent liminality between Western and Eastern European patterns of power structures, social and political order.

Early Modern Texts:
The book begins by exploring some early modern texts written in Hungary. These texts provide a valuable insight into the cultural and intellectual landscape of the time and offer a glimpse into the early stages of Hungarian utopianism. One of the most significant early modern texts is the "Letter from a Hungarian Nobleman to His Son" by János Arany. In this letter, Arany discusses the importance of education and the need for young people to learn about their cultural heritage and traditions. He also advocates for a more democratic and egalitarian society, where people are treated equally and have access to the same opportunities.

Nineteenth-Century Texts:
The detailed analyses in the book focus on nineteenth-century texts written by authors such as Bessenyei, Madách, and Jókai. These authors were among the most influential Hungarian utopianists of their time and their works reflect the political and social climate of the period. Bessenyei's "The Ideal State" is a classic example of Hungarian utopianism. In this work, Bessenyei imagines a society where people are free from want and poverty and where social and economic equality is achieved. Madách's "The Republic of the Future" is another influential work that explores the concept of a utopian society based on social and economic equality. Jókai's "The Last Judgement" is a more mystical and spiritual utopian work that imagines a society where people are united in their pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

Twentieth-Century Texts:
The twentieth century is represented by authors like Karinthy, Babits, and Szathmári. These authors were influenced by the political and social changes that occurred in Hungary during the twentieth century, including the rise of communism and the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Karinthy's "The City of the Sun" is a dystopian work that imagines a society where people are controlled by a totalitarian government. Babits's "The Last Man" is a post-apocalyptic work that imagines a society where the human race is extinct. Szathmári's "The Garden of Eden" is a utopian work that imagines a society where people live in harmony with nature and each other.

Interpretations:
In interpreting these texts, the results of contemporary scholarship are applied, particularly the works of Lyman Tower Sargent, Gregory Claeys, and Fátima Vieira. Sargent's "The Politics of Utopia" is a seminal work in utopian studies that explores the political dimensions of utopianism. Claeys's "The Utopian Imagination" is a comprehensive study of utopian literature that provides a historical and theoretical framework for understanding utopianism. Vieira's "The Utopian Body" is a feminist analysis of utopian literature that explores the gendered dimensions of utopian societies.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of the most significant utopian and dystopian literary works in nineteenth and twentieth-century Hungarian literature. By integrating literary hermeneutics with insights from political science and the history of ideas, the research argues that Hungarian utopianism was shaped by the region's position of permanent liminality between Western and Eastern European patterns of power structures, social and political order. The book provides a valuable contribution to the field of utopian studies and offers new insights into the cultural and intellectual landscape of Hungary during this period.

Weight: 443g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031092251
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022