Jókai Essay
Questions from the eighth-grade literature book – with GPT's answers
Below, we asked Jók.ai GPT to take on the role of an eighth-grade student and answer the textbook's questions about Jókai. The answers were corrected by Anikó Oroszlán, a Hungarian literature teacher at Babits Mihály High School in Pécs.
Prove that Timár is initially an honest and pure character.
There are numerous examples in the novel that can serve to prove Timár's honest and pure character. One such event is when he turns to Athanáz Brazovics to call him out on how he treats Tímea, the orphan girl. In the text, Timár addresses Brazovics as follows: “You treat her abominably, Mr. Brazovics, abominably! I say this to your face, in your own house. You have embezzled all the orphan's property! Yes, embezzled: that is the correct word. And your whole family subjects the poor child to cursed mockery. You poison her soul for her entire life. God will punish you!”. This scene clearly shows Timár's strong moral stance, who does not tolerate injustice and is ready to confront it, even if it goes against his own interests.
Furthermore, Timár's business conduct also points to an honest and pure character. He is also called the "golden man" because everything he undertakes ends in success, and he never cheats or smuggles. In large enterprises, he realizes honest profits and does not abuse his position: "One who is satisfied with a penny profit for every florin is a decent, honest man; but at a million, fifty thousand florins follow, bringing the next million. One must just not deal with it in an ugly way." This attitude not only brings him wealth but also earns him society's recognition and respect.
These two examples clearly show that Timár is indeed an honest and pure character, who stands out from his environment through his moral principles and integrity.
Teacher Anikó Oroszlán's evaluation: 6/7 points – I find the example a bit lacking, I would have definitely mentioned the events on the ship with Ali Csorbadzsi (the help provided to him). It also becomes apparent from the beginning that Timár is not a flawless character, which could have been hinted at. Perhaps by questioning the task itself here. The phrase "never cheats" is also not true, as he deceives Tímea from the start.
Provide examples of internal monologue from the work.
In the novel, internal monologues are crucial tools for presenting the thoughts, feelings, and conflicts of the characters. One such example is Timéa's internal monologue, where she articulates her thoughts about Timár: “'Three times… three times…' her lips muttered, but silently, only understood inwardly by the echoing nerves, what she said to herself. This man was her savior so many times. He was always so kind to her. He never mocked her. He never flattered her. And now he gives her everything that her heart desires.” In this passage, we see Timéa's inner world as she reflects on Timár, revealing her complex emotions and the gratitude she feels towards him.
Another example of the use of internal monologue appears in Mihály's thoughts when he observes Athalie and analyses his complex feelings about their relationship and situation. Such internal monologues help to present the psychological depth of the characters and allow the reader to understand the motivations, dilemmas, and feelings of each character more deeply.
Teacher Anikó Oroszlán's evaluation: 7/8 points – The above-quoted first example from Tímea is not an internal monologue but a report by the omniscient narrator about Tímea's feelings. An internal monologue is a first-person text that reports on the character's internal, unspoken thoughts. In the second example, a direct quotation could have been provided (I haven't checked this in the text, if there is such a part, then it is acceptable).
Explain how the protagonist's inner conflict manifests in the novel.
In the novel, Mihály Timár's inner conflict is depicted on multiple levels and in depth. One of the most important aspects of this inner turmoil is when he realizes that his luck and success do not come from a completely pure source. In this context, Timár's internal dilemma is that although he is outwardly respected as a successful, wealthy man, he knows in his heart that his wealth originally belonged to an orphan girl, Tímea: "From the day Timár found Ali Csorbadzsi's treasures in the sunken ship, his soul's peace was lost; after every bright success that accompanied his endeavours, his inner accuser raised its voice: this is not yours! This was the wealth of an orphan girl that you usurp. Are you a fortunate man? Not true! A benefactor of the poor? Not true! A golden man? Not true! - You are a thief!"
This inner conflict manifests itself later when Timár tries to change his fate, attempting to lose his wealth in the hope that this will bring him closer to Tímea, but even this does not yield the desired result, as everything he undertakes ends in success, even when he wishes to fail. Such internal struggles illustrate Timár's inner conflict, which is present throughout the novel and is crucial to a deeper understanding of his character.
Teacher Anikó Oroszlán's evaluation: 6 points – I think it is essential to mention the other reason for the inner conflict – the dual love life, that although Timár married Tímea out of guilt, he finds peace and tranquility with Noémi. This also explains his disappearance at the end of the novel, not just that he wants to resolve his guilt stemming from his financial situation.
Write the story of Mihály Timár's "escape" in the style of tabloid press.
Mihály Timár, the mysterious millionaire's "escape" is a twist that outshines even the most thrilling Hollywood movies! The wealthy businessman, known to many as the "Golden Man," has borne the heavy burden of his conscience for years. The series of events leading to this heart-pounding twist could easily be taken from the pages of a crime novel.
The story begins when Timár discovers Ali Csorbadzsi's treasures among the wreckage of a sunken ship. This moment fundamentally changes his life but also causes a severe moral crisis. The fortune that suddenly falls into his hands actually belonged to an orphan girl, the beautiful and mysterious Tímea. However, Timár keeps this secret deeply buried, while outwardly reaching the pinnacle of business success and social recognition.
The real drama unfolds when Timár decides to clear his conscience. This decision leads to his "escape." He takes a stunning step that surpasses all his previous actions: he returns the fortune to its rightful owner, Tímea. But not just in any way! The return of the fortune is done with such generosity and surprise that it is worthy of the greatest romantic novels.
Mihály Timár's heroic deed signifies not only the transfer of material wealth but much more: the triumph of purification and selfless love. The story, which would conquer the headlines of the tabloid press, also serves as a lesson for us: it shows that honesty and good deeds ultimately always prevail.
And so, dear readers, this chapter closes in the life of Mihály Timár, who not only cleansed his fortune but also his soul, securing an eternal place for himself in the history books as the man who bravely faced the challenges of fate and ultimately triumphed over his greatest enemy: himself.
Teacher Anikó Oroszlán's evaluation: 5 points – This is a very good text, but it's much higher level than the language of the tabloid press. :) It includes phrases and compound sentences that today's tabloids do not use. It needs a clickbait title, withheld information, and sensationalism, etc. (Sorry, because otherwise, this is really a good text.)
What are the plot elements immediately preceding the story?
A történet közvetlenül megelőző cselekményelemei a következők: Egy természettudós barát beszél azokról a kivételes földterületekről, amelyek a magyar és a török birodalmak között találhatók, és amelyek egyik félhez sem tartoznak, így magántulajdont sem képeznek. Ezért ezek a területek valóságos paradicsomai a szenvedélyes természetbúvároknak, ahol a legritkább flórát és faunát találhatják meg. A narrátor, aki maga is műkedvelője e szaknak, elmondja, hogy üres ideje volt, ezért elkísérte az öreg tudóst az Aldunára, ahol elvezette őt a „senki szigetére”. A sziget, amely korábban nagyrészt vadon volt, mára egy mintagazdasággá alakult át, teljesen megvédve az árvizektől és vízcsatornákkal átszelve, melyeket lóerővel hajtott gép lát el öntöző vízzel. A sziget minden kis darabja hasznot hajt vagy gyönyört ad, és a lakói gabonát, ruhakelmét, szerszámokat és festett fonalat hoznak cserébe a sziget terményeiért. A sziget lakói magyarul beszélnek, ami a végvidéken már ritkaságnak számít, és egyetlen család alkotja az egész telepet. Az életmódjuk önellátó, ahol mindenki tud valami munkát végezni, és a család jelenlegi feje, akit a többiek „apá”-nak neveznek, szokta a cserealkukat megkötni és az idegeneknek a telepet megmutogatni. Egy este, amikor a narrátor és a természettudós megérkeztek a szigetre, Deodát, a család jelenlegi feje, nyájas szívességgel fogadta őket, mint régi jó ismerősöket, és beszélgetésük során kiderült, hogy Deodát alapos ismeretekkel bír több tudományágban is. Ezenkívül az öreg szigetlakó, aki negyven év óta nem olvasott a világban történtekről, kivéve gazdasági és kertészeti könyveket, kíváncsian hallgatta a narrátor beszámolóját a világ eseményeiről, de mindig csak annyit válaszolt, hogy a szigetükön ezek a problémák nem léteznek. Az este folyamán a szigetlakók összegyűltek egy közös vacsorára, ahol a szépapó és a szépanyó megosztották boldogságukat az egész családdal, és egyenként megcsókolták őket. A történet ezzel a családi és közösségi összetartással, valamint a különálló, békés életmóddal zárul.
Teacher Anikó Oroszlán's evaluation: 10 points – I think this is fine, seems thoroughly researched, well-written paragraph. (I did not research, so it is possible that there might be factual errors.)
What kind of treasures did Mihály Timár find? Whose wealth was this? For whom does he wish to preserve it?
Mihály Timár discovered Ali Csorbadzsi's treasures on the cargo of the sunken ship, the Saint Barbara. The treasure, worth one million forints, was filled with pearls, gemstones, jewellery, rarities, and valuable coins, including louisdors. This wealth belonged to Ali Csorbadzsi, the governor of Candia and the guardian of the Khazné. Timár wished to preserve this treasure for Timéa, as it originally belonged to her family. Therefore, he decided to sell the treasures, increase the wealth, and eventually leave everything to Timéa to ensure her happiness.
Teacher Anikó Oroszlán's evaluation: 10 points – This description seems accurate.
In his self-justifying contemplation, what arguments does Mihály Timár bring up for his own peace of mind? Is love a real argument or an excuse? Does Timár Mihály ultimately absolve himself?
Mihály Timár tries to comfort himself with the argument that what he did was actually a kind of moral obligation: to preserve the wealth for its rightful owner, Timéa. However, this is more of a self-deception because Timár is aware that he himself benefits from all this, and this moral explanation only serves to calm his conscience. The love argument that arises during his self-justifying contemplation also seems more like self-deception, as although driven by a desire for love, he actually hurts two women with this: Timéa, whom he could never truly connect with emotionally, and Noémi, from whom he keeps his distance so as not to hurt Timéa.
Timár does not completely absolve himself. Although he tries various explanations, the guilt and internal conflicts are constantly present in his thoughts. The self-deception and the struggle with himself are an internal battle from which he cannot emerge victorious, as his different loves for the two women and the weight of the secrets drag him deeper. These contemplations and internal conflicts show that although he tries, Timár will never be able to fully absolve himself because his actions carry moral and emotional consequences that he must face.
Teacher Anikó Oroszlán's evaluation: 10 points – I think it's fine, and well-written.
The island and garden motifs have played a defining role in numerous literary works. Mention a few of them.
The motifs of the island and garden indeed appear in many literary works, often holding significant symbolic or thematic roles. Here are a few examples where these motifs are prominent:
- Daniel Defoe – Robinson Crusoe: One of the most well-known examples of the island motif, where the protagonist, Robinson Crusoe, ends up on a deserted island and tries to survive. The island here symbolizes the relationship between man and nature, human perseverance, and ingenuity.
- William Shakespeare – The Tempest: In this play, the island is the setting where Prospero, the rightfully deposed Duke of Milan, uses his magic to control the natural forces and spirits of the island. The island here embodies themes of forgiveness, new beginnings, and control over nature.
- Frances Hodgson Burnett – The Secret Garden: The garden motif here serves as the site of healing and spiritual growth for the main character, Mary, and her sickly cousin, Colin. The garden, which they revive together from decay, symbolizes inner renewal and the healing power of nature.
- Homer – The Odyssey: In The Odyssey, Odysseus's long journey home involves traversing numerous islands, each presenting a unique challenge and lesson. These islands represent the trials of the human soul and the possibility of transformation.
- Johann David Wyss – The Swiss Family Robinson: In this story, a family finds themselves on a deserted island after a shipwreck, where they begin a new life. The island here focuses on self-sufficiency, family unity, and the importance of resource management.
These works use the island and garden motifs in various ways to enrich their themes, characters, and plots, providing deeper meaning and symbolism for the reader.
Teacher Anikó Oroszlán's evaluation: 10 points – These are all good examples, and the articulation is well-developed.
The construction of the Iron Gate Canal in 1896 brought significant changes to the previously wild and romantic landscape of the Lower Danube. Designed by Wallandt Ernő and led by Rupcsics György, the project involved blasting a navigation canal along the Serbian shore, extending over 2200 meters in length. The work commenced in August 1890 and, although initially planned to be completed by 1895, was ultimately finished in September 1896. The canal was built to a depth of three meters and a width of 75 meters, allowing larger ships to pass through without obstruction. However, due to the continued high water speed, a steam- powered towing system was necessary for upstream navigation.
"Breaking through the middle of a mountain range from top to base, stretching four miles; with high, straight cliff walls rising from six hundred to three thousand feet on either side, and in the middle, the giant river of the old world, the Ister: the Danube. Did the mass of water carve this gate for itself, or did the underground fire split the mountain range in two? Was it created by Neptune, or Vulcan? Or both together? The work is God's! Even today's iron- handed men, who imitate gods, cannot create anything like it. The fossilized sea snails scattered atop the Fruska Gora mountains, the ancient sea-dwelling saurians of the Veterani Cave proclaim the handiwork of one god; the basalts on Piatra Detonata speak of another god; the third, the iron-handed man, is proclaimed by the long cut in the rock, a national road with a vault; the colossal stone bridge column remains, the memorial plaque carved as a bas-relief on the rock's side, and the hundred-foot-wide channel cut in the middle of the bed, through which larger ships can navigate. The Iron Gate has a two-thousand-year history and is known in the languages of four nations."
The grand opening in 1896, attended by the reigning monarchs, notably excluded the Hungarian flag, and Emperor Franz Joseph spoke of the success of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy without mentioning Hungary specifically. The full completion of the project occurred two years later in 1898, extending the navigation season to ten months.
The transformation of the Iron Gate Gorge not only revolutionized navigation but also altered the landscape. The subsequent construction of the Iron Gate I Hydroelectric Power and Navigation System between 1964 and 1972 further raised the water level by 33 meters, enabling even larger ships to pass. This development, however, came at a significant environmental and cultural cost, submerging the valley's most beautiful parts, including the old town of Orsova, the Ada Kaleh island, and three villages, resulting in a considerable loss of cultural and ecological heritage.
Since Jókai Mór's time, the perception of the "iron-handed men" and their nature-altering activities has evolved considerably. While the canal's construction was a monumental technical achievement that facilitated the region's navigation, the transformation of the landscape and the environmental impacts have also been recognized. The loss of Ada Kaleh, for instance, evoked deep emotions as it represented a unique cultural and historical heritage. Today's assessments of such projects are more likely to consider environmental and cultural impacts, reflecting the long-term consequences of human intervention on nature and culture.