World Literatures by Joseph RemenyiReview by: Georgette DonchinThe Slavonic and East European Review, Vol. 35, No. 85 (Jun., 1957), pp. 634-635Published by: the Modern Humanities Research Association and University College London, School ofSlavonic and East European StudiesStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4204891 .

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634 THE SLAVONIC REVIEW

the years 182 7-1945. A remarkable fact, which enhances the usefulness of this anthology, is that, owing to the selection and sequence of the texts, the

foreign reader can get a good chronological idea of historical and social

developments during the modern period of Rumanian history. The selected texts are preceded by Mr Tappe's introduction, which is

intended 'rather as a sketch-map marking the position of the authors who are represented in this selection of readings, than as a complete survey of literature'. The marking out of the writers' positions is accurate, and the exactness of characterisation is all the more remarkable as limited space obviously entails the sacrifice of subtle detail. Sometimes Mr Tappe's characterisations are not only precise, but memorable, as, for instance, this

description of the novel Craii de Curtea Veche: 'a very individual book . . . that always seems to mean much more than it says'. Or this, borrowed from Charles Lamb's description of one of Congreve's plays, and which per? fectly suits the art of Caragiale's comedies: 'a strange power of interesting you all along in the pursuits of characters for whom you absolutely care

nothing'. Likewise, we shall remember the penetrating and justified final remark: Tn the development of modern Rumanian literature we have observed an alternation of turning outwards to receive foreign influence and turning inwards again to renew contact with what is local and native.'

We may, in fact, make the same statement about Rumanian literature that Albert Thibaudet has made about French literature, viz. that it is a 'literature of dialogue' between opposed tendencies and attitudes which, during the last hundred years, have given birth to many fruitful trends? tradition and modernism, peasant's and townsman's point of view, etc. From the antagonism or 'dialogue' between such trends, Rumanian literature has gained a creative restlessness which has increased its vitality and enriched it with new material. This has been favourable to a diversity of talents and styles, such as were found especially during the period between the two world wars.

As a result of the interruption of the natural development of Rumanian literature owing to the political changes of twelve years ago, the literary tradition of the period represented in Mr Tappe's anthology can no longer subsist authentically, except in exile, where 'foreign influence is of necessity very strong upon the writers who continue it'.

London M. Niculescu

World Literatures. By Joseph Remenyi and others. University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, 1956. 315 pages.

It is difficult to imagine to what kind of reader this book, sponsored by the Committees for the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning, may appeal. It is a collection of essays purported to be linked by an attempt to

explain the meaning of world literature. In spite of the introductory essay by the late Joseph Remenyi, Professor of Comparative Literature at the Western Reserve University, on the opportunity given to man by world literatures to experience the universe, we are, after reading this book, by

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REVIEWS 635

no means nearer achieving a vision of universality. The opposite would be

nearer to the truth. The majority of the essays (originally written as lec?

tures), especially those relating to the East and Central European coun?

tries, emphasise the narrow nationalistic traits of particular literatures instead of providing a balanced account of the country as seen through its

literature, or of its literary contributions to world thought and culture. The accounts of Polish, Czech, Yugoslav, and Rumanian literature are

particularly biased. Mr Zawacki at least tries to bring out one theme

moving through most of Polish literature ('the major chord of Polish

literature'), but by stressing the patriotic political didacticism of Polish

writers, he assumes a nationalistic attitude himself. The Rumanian and

Yugoslav contributors attempt to survey the whole of their native litera?

tures, the result being a most involved, confused, and biased picture. Most of the essays are written in a style which, by no stretch of imagination, can be called correct English. Surely an editor, or even a less important person, could smooth down such sentences as for instance: 'May they be character? ized cumulatively in whatever way, may some be found better and some weaker' (p. 55). To enumerate here the number of clumsy passages or even

plain mistakes would be futile. A good proof-reader could have done much to improve at least the appearance of this book.

Happily for those interested in a 'digest' method of getting to know all the literatures of the world, some essays, especially those relating to the Western world, are competent and of even quality.

The Slavonic section is redeemed by Professor Karpovich's lecture. He chooses a theme dear to the heart of every student of Russian literature.

Apparently it is not only every generation that feels a need to contrast

Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky; no individual scholar can resist the temptation to revive this spectacular juxtaposition. Yet Professor Karpovich presents an illuminating picture of two great writers who are not only spokesmen for their own country, but are also of immense importance to world literature.

Differing in temperament and in mode of life, as well as in their manner of

writing, Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky have at least one important thing in common: 'they both', as Professor Karpovich puts it, 'are concerned with

fundamentals, with the "eternal verities" of life' (p. 248). They both are

great searchers and great probers of the human heart. The questions which

Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky tried to answer are of universal importance. Representative of their people, they have more right than any other Rus? sian writers to an important place in world literature.

London Georgette Donchin

Russian Versification. By B. O. Unbegaun. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1956. xiii + 164 pages. Bibliography and index.

This compact little book is the outcome of a course given in 1942 at the

university of Strasbourg and of a series of lectures delivered at Oxford in

1950. It consequently has the faults and the merits attaching to its initial

conception.

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