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Skylark, written by an outstanding Hungarian author Dezso Kosztolanyi, is a novel about the change of one senior couples life during the impermanent absence of their unattractive and unmarried daughter. At the same time, this work provides essential information about Hungary, especially its political environment, at the end of the 19th century. The purpose of this paper is to analyze Skylark in order to identify how the author presents the political life and life in Hungary in general in 1899 and the role of food in the novel.
First of all, in his novel, Dezso Kosztolanyi presents public sentiment concerning the political environment of Hungary that existed in 1899. In particular, peoples opinions about the countrys Prime Minister, Kálmán Széll, were controversial while some citizens called him a first-rate brain and a visionary statement, other individuals offensively named him a Viennese lackey. This attitude was determined by Hungarys political division connected with the countrys relations with Austria. In 1848-1849, the Hungarian Civic Revolution and subsequent War of Independence resulted from the protest of Lajos Kossuth and his followers against the illegal and anti-democratic decisions of the Austrian monarch. This event resulted in a war for Hungarys full independence from Austria. In 1899, people who identified themselves with revolutionaries and supported Kossuth were called the forty-eighters.
Opposite to them, sixty- seveners expressed more sympathy to Austria and approved the Austro-Hungarian Compromise, or Augsleich, of 1867 and the establishment of the dual monarchy. That is why, according to their preferences, Hungarians either defended or blamed the Prime Minister for his visit to Vienna for the Albrecht statues unveiling and a lack of support for Hungarian nationalists who had protested against the statue of Heinrich Hentzi in Budapest. Both generals fought on the side of the Austrian Empire. In addition, the disturbing issue related to the placement of the Hentzi statue was commonly addressed in response to public criticism. In the novel, when Ákos and actors started to sing the song sarcastically referred to the general state of affairs, and the citys drawbacks, including the absence of sewage system and lack of electricity, in the Kisfaludy Theatre, the Lord Lieutenant could not give a fitting reply and chose to protect himself with the suggestion to destroy the Hentzi statue.
Moreover, the author describes Hungarys political environment through particular characters who express their view in the course of the narrative. László Ladányi, parliamentary delegate for the Royal Town of Sárszeg during the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, did not hide his passionate exaggerated commitment to the desire to contribute to the destruction of the House of Habsburg for its committed crimes against Hungary, including the murder of his grandfather by imperial soldiers. He partially had contempt for Ákos who was not brave enough to openly join the forty-eight. In turn, Ákos understood and supported Ladányi, however, he always voted for candidates proposed by the government as he preferred peace instead of fighting. In addition, the adherence of the part of Hungarian society to the revolution is expressed through the names of locations (restaurant King of Hungary, PetQfi Street) and hate for black-and-yellow colors, associated with the dynasty of Habsburgs (Prime Minister were called Schwarzgelb mercenary ).
It goes without saying that the narration that takes place in Hungary of 1899 provides insight into the countrys life. From a personal perspective, the author presents a considerably depressive panorama of Sárszeg. As previously mentioned, the city suffered from a lack of electricity and dirt caused by the absence of a sewage system. A great number of funerals were organized daily and even in one street, there were several stonemasons yards and coffin-makers with tombstones and coffins of all sizes and shapes outside. The tense atmosphere of that time is additionally determined by the authors remark that a visitor could feel that people did not live but only die in Sárszeg.
Concerning social life, the public attitude to women and marriage in Hungary was typical for the end of the 19th century. The value and happiness of women were supposed to be determined exclusively by their wifehood even if it resulted in a miserable life. That is why, Skylark, other old maids, and their parents frequently faced laughter, scorn, whispering behind their back, and humiliation. In addition, Hungarian cuisine of that time is presented in the novel in detail in general, it was rich in meat, fat, spices, and oil. Moreover, the dishes of different cuisines, including Italian, English, and French, were presented in Hungarian restaurants as well.
Finally, the novels one more intriguing peculiarity is symbolism and the expression of the main characters feelings through food. According to Ákos, his daughter cooks well, however, she never uses spices and reduces fat for her cooking due to her weak stomach and economy. Consequently, similar to this food, the life of their family is unemotional and empty. When Skylark leaves, Ákos and his wife initially do not want to eat in restaurants as they were satisfied with home-made cooking. However, with time, they start to visit restaurants and the choice of dishes on the menu makes them excited. In addition, when Ákos drinks alcohol for the first time in fifteen years he feels that the independence and power of his youth are returning to him. The change of food symbolized the change of the senior couples life and they fully indulge with it.
To sum up, Skylark written by Dezso Kosztolanyi may be regarded as a prominent work of Hungarian literature. The author masterfully presents the political division that existed in Hungary in 1899 when society members supported and denied the Hungarian Revolution and the countrys independence from Austria. In addition, he describes the depressive atmosphere of the city and how Skylarks parents change their attitude to life after her departure.
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