From Ideology to Nostalgia: Excursions with Arthur Koestler and Sndor Mrai

(Hardback)

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The Hungarian literary tradition teems with a myriad of works that can contribute significantly to our political knowledge. Politics and literature as an interdisciplinary focus pays little attention to the works of Hungarian authors. Based on this perception, From Ideology to Nostalgia: Excursions with Arthur Koestler and Sndor Mrai intends to show that specific novels written by Hungarian authors have significant value from the perspective of political theory. Mikls Blint Tth examines works which provide a thorough understanding of problems related to the notion of political order. In three case studies, Tth analyzes Arthur Koestler's Darkness at Noon, Sndor Mrai's tlet Canudosban (Judgement in Canudos), and another novel by Mrais Szindbd hazamegy (Szindbd Goes Home), focusing on political phenomena such as ideological thought, the dynamics between order and rebellion, and nostalgia.

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Literature does more than entertain. If done well, it has a unique ability to address the complexity of human thought in ways that foster mutually beneficial linkages among competing political perspectives and mentalities. Exploring case studies of three contemporary 'imaginative texts' from Hungary - Arthur Koestler's Heart of Darkness, Sndor Mrais Judgement in Canudos (tlet Canudosban) and Szindbd Goes Home (Szindbd Hazamegy) this book demonstrates the power of combining modern scientific method with literary studies using the methodological approach of New Criticism. It further illuminates the linkages between ideology and ideological mentality; the juxtaposition of the mutually exclusive desires for order and beneficial change within every society; the emotional attraction of nostalgic remembering in communities; and the need for more flexible and inclusive uses of language within political dialogue. Equally important: it challenges western audiences to read more non-English (politically informative) literature, all while exploring the power of combining quantitative data with qualitative political analysis. Arguing that there can be no rigid separation of the real and the imaginary within politically active communities, it thus highlights the ability of literature to serve as a restorative, intellectual compass, which hosts the power to bring unexpected consistency to the irrationality of political dialogue and/or foster mutual understanding between estranged groups. -- Carol Strong, University of Arkansas

Author Bio

Mikls Blint Tth is political scientist and research fellow of the School of Social Sciences and History at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium, Hungary.