Kosztolanyi’s Aranysarkany at 100

Type of Abstract (select): Paper presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):
The novel Aranysárkány was set at the beginning of the twentieth century at the time of the Mayfest (Majalis) celebration, which indicates a focus on beginnings. Professor Antal Novák represents principles of reason, tradition and respect for the old order and authority. His failing student represents adulation of strength, speed and power and the neglect of the intellectual life. Professor Novak’s daughter, Hilda, represents sensuality and instant gratification, in contrast to her temperate and studious father. Vili Liszner and daughter Hilda seem to prevail in the denouement of the novel , while Professor Novák is driven to the depths of despair. Was Kosztolányi meaning this as an allegory for the prevalence of the forces of strength, speed and sensuality in the first quarter of the twentieth century over those of reason, respect and tradition? Kosztolanyi wrote Aranysárkány in the early 1920’s after the tragedy of Trianon and the demotion of his own father in the school where he had spent his life, but now required that he teach in Serbian. Aranysárkány has been translated into most of the major European languages with the glaring exception of English. It is to be hoped that it will take its rightful place as one of the classics of not only Hungarian literature, but also world literature.



Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Jame Pavlis is a retired adjunct professor of Spanish language and literature at John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH. He holds a BS in Linguistics from Georgetown University, an MA in Spanish from Cleveland State University, and of Master’s in Theology from St. Mary Graduate School of Theology (OH). He has read several papers on the works of Dezső Kosztolányi, and papers on comparative literature at numerous national and international venues, the three most recent being the Crossing Borders Conference in Vasto, Italy (2017), and many AHEA conferences.