Connections and Differences

Find the connections between today's world and the novel. How do the lives and dilemmas of young people then and now compare?

Finding parallels between The Man with the Golden Touch and the modern world can be an exciting way to demonstrate the novel's relevance to contemporary readers. Although the story is set in the mid-19th century, many themes and dilemmas remain timely. Here are some key connections and differences that can help students bridge the past and the present:

Connections

  1. Social Mobility and "Finding One's Own Path": The story of Mihály Timár, who rises from a lower social class to a high position, parallels the aspirations of today's youth who seek their own paths in life, whether in careers or personal journeys. The modern world also embraces the idea of the self-made individual who achieves success through personal effort.
  1. Values and Internal Conflicts: Just as Timár struggles with the contradiction between wealth and moral values, today's youth face similar decisions, especially in the context of materialism versus personal happiness or ethical considerations. Issues like sustainability, social justice, and balancing individual ambitions remain relevant today.
  1. Romantic and Family Relationships: The relationships between Noémi and Timár, and Timéa and Timár, show how complex and timeless emotions and attachments are. Modern youth also face similar romantic dilemmas where the heart and mind, desire and duty can conflict.

Differences

  1. Speed of Technological and Social Changes: While changes in the 19th century occurred more slowly and often spanned generations, the modern world experiences rapid technological advancement and social changes, presenting different challenges for today's youth.
  2. Globalization and Cultural Diversity: The social and cultural context of 19th century Hungary is significantly different from today's globalized world. Modern youth interact daily with people from various cultures, influencing their identity, worldview, and relationships.
  3. Access to Information and Education: In Timár's era, access to information and education was limited, whereas today, young people have almost unlimited access to information through the internet, fundamentally affecting their decisions and opportunities.