Válságtörténetek a humor optikáján keresztül. A gazdasági válságok, az éhínség és a kolera a korabeli élclapokban
Crisis Narratives through Humour. Economic Crises, Famine and Cholera in Contemporary Satirical Magazines

Summary/Abstract: The study examines contemporary crisis perceptions in texts and cartoons published in political satirical magazines, such as Borsszem Jankó, Az Üstökös, Bolond Istók, Ludas Matyi and the Vienna-based Figaro, for the years 1869, 1873 and 1882. The analysis focuses on the economic crises of these years, and the ensuing disputes about the Hungarian Bank (1873), as well as other disasters such as the 1873 cholera outbreak, stem rust epidemic, and famine. The methodology is based on the categorisation of the devices of humour and satire in both text and image. Regardless of the subjects of satire in these papers, whether revolutions, historical and Biblical events or the quotidian, the texts and images often contain recurring subject-specific devices and symbolism. It is apparent that the satirical representation of the lesser crisis of 1869 was not directly associated with Jews, and relevant cartoons also feature Jewish and non-Jewish characters equally. While the treatment of the bank question in 1873 still does not suggest a direct connection, the frequent mention of Ede Horn brings a Jewish character into the narrative. The subject of the stock market crash, however, definitely reflects the contemporary public’s views about the role of Jewish speculators. The satirical papers’ representation of the 1873 cholera outbreak, stem rust epidemic and famine also show the pedagogical intentions of the authors, and what is especially interesting is the authors’ ability to poke fun at severe problems that deeply affected most layers of society.

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