De politiek van de literatuurkritiek

[p. 140]

Summary
Pragmatic considerations in literary criticism
The establishment of the reputation of Menno ter Braak in Dutch literature

The fact that Menno ter Braak (1902-1940) has frequently been the object of study in the past decades, is a clear indication of the importance attributed to his person and work. This study differs from the existing ones in that it focuses on the strategic aspects of Menno ter Braak's conduct in the literary scene. That is to say that the starting point of my research has been the assumption that what is said and done by persons who hold a position in the literary field are greatly influenced by their ambition to achieve a respected reputation.

This assumption is theoretically elaborated upon in chapter one, where the study of literary conceptions and institutions is discussed. Chapters two and three are concerned with Ter Braak's entry on the literary scene. His high productivity and the cooperations he enters upon are particular points of attention. I consider Ter Braak's contribution to various literary magazines, discuss the way in which he creates a distinct profile for himself in one of these magazines, De vrije bladen and go on to examine his activities as an editor of Forum, the periodical he set up with E. du Perron. I consider these various activities as part of a young and prospective author's ambition to gain an respected position in the literary scene. In chapter three I consider the factors that underlie the end of Forum. I will show that not only editorial conflicts were at the basis of its liquidation. Conflicting interests were a main issue and the discussion is dominated by misunderstandings and poor communication. I go on to discuss some new relations Ter Braak establishes in the thirties. He enters into alliance in the struggle against the oncoming national-socialism. He becomes the literary editor for the newspaper Het vaderland.

Ter Braak's way of working as a critic and the choices he makes from the literary supply are subject of discussion in chapters four and five. Starting from the interest he shows in Louis Couperus and Willem Elsschot, I will illustrate that strategic considerations played an important part in his efforts on their behalf as well. This becomes clear from -among other things- characterisations he adjusts and comparisons he modifies, but also from the discrepancy between his judgements made in public on the one hand and in private on the other.

[p. 141]

Ter Braak has always been considered very influential. This longterm influence is not only presumed to have its effect on the postwar literary magazines, but is also discernible in the arguments of several of our contemporary literary critics. Moreover, Ter Braak is assumed to have played an important part in the realization of the reputation of a considerable number of authors. In the last chapter or epilogue I comment upon the part Ter Braak plays in post-war literary life. I give a number of examples of the way in which he is reffered to in essays, lectures, polemic arguments en even in fiction, with the intention of making clear that Ter Braak is the object of image-building. By pointing out his influence and discussing his present-day significance, images are created which are interpreted in an either negative of positive way, depending on place and time.