Page 418 [418]
NATIONAL IDENTITY AS A LITERARY QUESTION
Mikszath’s version changed the basic story considerably. He created a fictional
anecdote from a factual anecdote. The only historical character is Leopold I,
(1640-1705), who features less vividly in our national memory than Francis
Joseph.
Another variation follows more precisely the original source in Bela Töth’s
collection, but with a most daring transformation. It is entitled The Solution
and can be found in Péter Esterhazy’s A Little Hungarian Pornography (1984),
and also in another of his works, Introduction to Literature (1986). The latter
comprises a marginal note as well: “Bad, Little Hungarian Tale Little Red
Riding Hood and the wolf michael [!]”.?° Esterhäzy’s two versions differ in
their genres, however. The story appears in A Little Hungarian Pornography
rather as an anecdote, while it is treated in the Introduction as a “tale”. Asthe
realms of reality and unreality intermingle, emphasis is laid on the absurdity
of the historical situation. The two different contexts depict different
stories, although the stories are essentially the same. The title of A Little
Hungarian Pornography (Kis Magyar Pornografia in Hungarian) is itself an
anecdotal reference to the Communists’ Hungarian Party (Kommunistak
Magyarorszagi Partja, or KMP), and the story is considerably more anecdotal
than its counterpart in Introduction. Consequently, the first Esterhazy version
without a marginal note can better be paralleled by an anecdote illustrating
an entire era than the one in Introduction.
For some unfathomable reason plus the assiduous undercover activities of the
Imperialists, Rakosi began to slip down the popularity list. Since he was just
about to attend a peace rally, the officials in charge wanted to ensure that the
great man’s welcome should be as warm and enthusiastic as humanly possible. It
fell to Minister of Transport Comrade Geré to ask the popular writer Tibor Déry
[Déry (1896-1977): generally regarded as the finest writer of socialist prose. But
his political activities immediately before and after 1956 created much friction] to
come up with a plan for the reception. It shouldn’t cost much, it should take the
First Secretary by surprise, while the people, too, should be pleased.
Déry, who liked to do things in a big way whatever the situation, gave a reluctant
shrug and said, “I can’t think of anything”. After a while, though, he added, “Well,
perhaps I can.” His eyes sparkling with hope and anticipation, Geré urged him on:
“Well? Well?”
“Will dear Matyas have himself driven over the bridge?”
“Da.” [trans. from the Russian: Yes]
“Past the two pillars at the head of the bridge?”
“Da. Da.” [trans. from the Russian: Yes. Yes]
Péter Esterhazy: Bevezetés a szépirodalomba — bevezetés a szépirodalomba (Introduction
in the Literature — introduction in the literature), Budapest, Magvetö, 1986, 437. - Mihaly
Farkas (1904-1965) as “wolf michael” was Minister of National Defence in the Räkosi era.
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