GA ČR 405/04/0660 (doc. Dagmar Blümlová, CSc.)

The Place of Aloys Skoumal (1904 - 1988) in Czech Literature

 

Current State of Knowledge

The literary activities of Aloys Skoumal (1904-1988) are interwoven in nearly all layers of the Czech literature world between the twenties and sixties of the 20^th century. In spite of that, he has been known exclusively as a prominent translator from English literature (namely J. Swift, L. Sterne and J. Joyce). Český biografický slovník XX. století (Czech Biographic 20^th Century Dictionary) mentions him as a literary and theatre critic (J. Tomeš et al., 1999), his name appears neither in dictionaries of Czech writers nor in surveys of 20^th century literary history and literary criticism. Slovník českých spisovatelů (Dictionary of Czech Writers) published in 1964 represents the only exception, it contains a relatively extensive entry Aloys Skoumal (author B. Wirthová) listing Skoumal´s pseudonyms, initials and symbols, on the whole Skoumal is again characterised as a translator

Skoumal´s name also marginally appears in new correspondence editions (M. Trávníček) of Christian orientation writers (J. Zahradníček, J. Čep). Memoir literature does not mention him at all. A concise hint may be found in the first volume of the Memoirs of V. Černý (Brno 1994), its ironic tone suggesting Skoumal´s questionable place not only in Czech literature, but also in the Czech culture and society in general. B. Fučík (Medailón R. Černého, in: Čtrnáctero zastavení, 1992) mentions the reasons why it is so difficult to classify A. Skoumal. And in fact, Skoumal, both in his life and his work (not only during his young years in the twenties B. Fučík´s interpretations were particularly focussed on), "has never had any close links with the Czech cultural scene, has always preferred solo performances". Thus, he was indeed able to cultivate his own creative concept, and as a result of his attitudes, his name and place in Czech literature have been generally neglected.

Research Background

In 1984 the Project Grant applicant met Aloys Skoumal (in relationship with her studies of the life and work of V. Tille, whose famous theatre seminar at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, was also attended by Skoumal). Based on discussions and archives research, she was able to detect unknown facts and interrelations, which, after Skoumal´s death in 1988, represented the main focus of her scientific interests in this field: (1) the literary science circle (the seminar of V. Mathesius, whose librarian Skoumal used to be during his university studies) - V. Jirát, R. Wellek; (2) the poetry circle - J. Čep, F. Halas, V. Závada (sharing of creative objectives, intimate friendships (Čep and Halas were godfathers of Skoumal´s children etc.); (3) the literary criticism circle (British or Irish inspirations, epigrammes); (4) the editing and publishing circle (well-thought-out concept, particularly in the field of literature for children).

The Research Results Hitherto

Some of the partial problems related to the above suggested circles haven been covered and published by the Project Grant applicant (first: Dar, který zní děctvím - překladatelé Hana a Aloys Skoumalovi, Zlatý máj 6, 1992, p. 198-202; after the death of Skoumal´s wife Hana in the obituary: In memoriam Hany Skoumalové, Literární noviny 10, 1999 - on this occasion she also gave a speech at her funeral; the newest publication: Skoumalovy výchovné lekce české kultuře, in: Proměny elit v moderní době, 2003).

The present state of knowledge concerning Skoumal´s life and work shows that his brilliant (and well-known) translating activities are a part of a far-reaching and large-scale concept, an essential part of which seems to be his (unknown) activities in the fields of criticism, epigrammatic works and publishing. Skoumal´s goal in general consisted in his endeavour to free Czech literature from all extra-literary dependences, e.g. the ideal of well-ordered mediocrity, Catholicism or the ideology of communism, and, with the use of British or Irish models, to facilitate the rise of a new, liberated and true literary model. Skoumal´s attitudes, in some respects, seem to anticipate the present views of the English scholar of Czech studies R. B. Pynset.

The non-conformist critical approach reflected particularly in Skoumal´s epigrammes represent a unique phenomenon in the history of Czech literary criticism. His critical attacks and his "ever-present poisonous barb" (Z. Heřman) did not settle old scores, but were aimed at everyone, including his friends (V. Závada). This is the reason why Skoumal´s participation in any literary circle or group was unimaginable (this is especially the case in his relationship to Catholic literature). The analysis and understanding of the suggested links and contexts make it possible to study not only Skoumal, but at the same time the topics of his interest from a new point of view. Due to the fact that Skoumal studied Czech literature systematically for longer than forty years, this new perspective also gives us the chance to outline the specifications of its development in more detail.

Only materials of personal character and manuscripts (the archives of the Skoumal family, which, as a result of the initiative of the Grant Project applicant, have been deposited in the Literary Archives of the Institute of the National Literature in Staré Hrady) have been studied so far. Further the correspondence materials with J. Čep and F. Halas deposited in the Literary Department of the Moravian Museum in Brno have been analysed. The materials of the publishing houses Melantrich and Vyšehrad as well as the resources of the Association of Czechoslovak Writers (LA PNP) have been probed. The private archives of E. A. Saudek (in the possession of Věra Saudková) have been discovered and partly researched. These archives contain relevant materials concerning the tradition of Czech translation, bus also the situation of Czech culture, theatre and literature in the period after World War II. The literary historical procedures of essays accompanying Skoumal´s translations have been evaluated.

Planned Research Focuses

The objectives of the presented Project can be characterised as follows:

1. To study, analyse and evaluate the published critical work (to decipher all used ciphers, symbols and initials). Special attention shall be given to the following periodicals: Akord, Časopis pro moderní filologii, Divadlo, Host, Host do domu, Index, Kmen, Kultura, Lidové noviny (after 1948), Literární noviny, Literární rozhledy, Nový život, Poezie (published in Ostrava), Pedagogické rozhledy, Rozmach, Rozpravy Aventina and Řád. Archival materials of publishing houses shall be confronted with the actual production of the periods of Skoumal´s employment; special attention shall be paid to series, libraries (Z domova a světa, Živý odkaz, Knihy odvahy a dobrodužství) and the publishing periodical Vyšehrad (most of the mentioned sources are deposited in the Institute of Czech Literature of the Czech Academy of Sciences). To study translations including all manuscript variants. To analyse the use and emotional impact of language. To compile a complete bibliography of Skoumal´s work.
2. Special attention shall be given to Skoumal´s selection of foreign models, the forms of their application and introduction into the Czech literary awareness. They shall be confronted with the interest or lack of interest of the current Czech literature (namely K. Kraus, J. Swift, G. Bernanos, P. Claudel).
3. Based on the analysis of older sources (further private correspondence or the so-far unused records of the Archbishop´s Grammar School in Kroměříž attended by Skoumal) to study and specify the features of Skoumal´s personality. In this sense to enhance the literary rehabilitation of Hana Skoumalová. Special attention shall be paid to professional links to writers and poets of Christian orientation (J. Florian and Stará říše Circle). To clarify the efforts of A. Skoumal, J. Čep, J. Scheinost (or others) aimed at the systematic introduction of "Chaucer´s England" into Czech literature of the twenties, to explain the relationship of the above mentioned group to K. Schulz (Skoumal was the administrator of his unpublished works).
4. Skoumal´s strict requirements concerning literary form and purity of language expression are to related to the strong influence of his University teacher V. Mathesius (the impact of O. Fischer, V. Jirát and R. Wellek is also to be taken into consideration). Of great significance seem to be his relationship to music and acoustic word perception.
5. To try to find as many materials as possible in order to reconstruct the impact of Skoumal´s activities abroad during his assignment as cultural attaché in London. It can be assumed that his goal-directed presentation of the indisputable cultural values of Czechoslovak origin resulted in the enhancement of the good reputation of our culture within the British awareness. (As his stay abroad is dated 1947 - 1950 his critical evaluation of the domestic situation from abroad can be made use of.)

Research Tíme- Schedule and Actual Output Specification

In the first Grant Programme year the studies of personality, formation sources and the corresponding Czech cultural background shall be completed. The results of this research stage shall be the subject of a conference held under the name of Aloys Skoumal and the Christian Sources of 20^th Century Czech Literature. Beside the presentation of new facts concerning Skoumal¨s life and work (D. Blümlová) speeches related to specific points of the Czech Christian Orientation Literary Scene shall be held: the literary production of J. Florian and the Stará říše Circle, further specific contributions of writer personalities (Jan Čep, K. Schulz, the early V. Závada), further the activities of periodicals and publishing houses (Řád, Vyšehrad). The participation of representatives of all academic places dealing with this topic is planned (ÚČL AV ČR, ÚČL FF UK and MU). The conference shall be held in 2004 (the 100^th anniversary of Skoumal´s birth), proceedings containing the presented speeches shall be published.

In 2004 the editorial work concerning the manuscript of Skoumal´s comment and epigramme collection Budiždán (deposited in the collections of A. Skoumal, LA PNP) shall be concluded. The author version shall be supplemented by further manuscript materials and by a representative sample of his published criticism production. The edition shall be accompanied by comments. It shall be a representative sample of Skoumal´s criticism and artistic activities.

The final output of the presented Project The Place of Aloys Skoumal (1904-1988) in Czech Literature shall be a monograph determining Skoumal´s position in the history of our 20^th century literature from an unbiased point of view. It shall be prepared for publication in the course of the second Project year (2005). Its preliminary name shall be Aloys Skoumal and Czech Literature. It shall comprise all interrelations of Skoumal´s biography (starting from inspiration rooted in his family background, over his Grammar School studies in Kroměříž and links to the Prague University, to his stay abroad and management of the Vyšehrad Publishing House). Special attention shall be paid to his relationship to the Czech Christian tradition (a conference with this focus). The research shall also concentrate on the context of Czech literary criticism and the characterisation of Skoumal´s literary expression.