THEORY AND PRACTICE OF TEXTUAL GENETICS

Dr. TÓTH Réka (ELTE)

The research programme "The Theory and Practice of Textual Genetics" is twofold. On the one hand I intend to provide a critical introduction to critique génétique, a trend of literary criticism whose significance has considerably increased in francophonic countries, but is not very well known in Hungary. Relying on my previous researched and Ph.D. dissertation, the planned monograph would depict the theory, practice, results, possibilities and limitations of textual genetics. At the same time the programme would also involve the creation of the first Hungarian genetic critical edition (János Pilinszky: Conversations with Sheryl Sutton) in parallel with the critical edition.

I am convinced that a monograph on the theoretical background, questions, and the practice of analyzing and interpreting manuscripts of textual genetics would be of interest to Hungarian researchers, allow access to information on works that are often unavailable in Hungarian libraries and contribute to the renewal of the basis of view on texts and text editions.

The planned genetic edition – created in parallel with the critical edition – would not only be the first such in Hungary, an attempt to introduce a new manner of reading, but – I hope – would also help in grating this work of Pilinszky’s, whose genre is difficult to define, the place it deserves.