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Hovudpersonen

The Good Soldier Švejk

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Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie leave the Sarajevo Town Hall on 28 June 1914, five minutes before the assassination.

The Good Soldier Švejk is a novel with an unusually rich array of characters. In addition to the many who directly form part of the plot, a large number of fictional and real people (and animals) are mentioned; either through the narrative, Švejk's anecdotes, or indirectly through words and expressions.

This web page contains short write-ups on the people/animals that the novel refers to; from Napoléon in the introduction to Hauptmann Ságner in the last few lines of the unfinished Part Four. The list is sorted in the order of which the names first appear. The chapter headlines are from Zenny Sadlon's recent translation (1999-2008) and will in most cases differ from Cecil Parrott's version from 1973. In January 2024 there were still around twenty entries to be added.

The quotes in Czech are copied from the on-line version of The Good Soldier Švejk: provided by Jaroslav Šerák and contain links to the relevant chapter. The toolbar has links for direct access to Wikipedia, Google maps, Google search, svejkmuseum.cz and the novel on-line.

The names are coloured according to their role in the novel, illustrated by the following examples:

  • Dr. Grünstein as a fictional character who is directly involved in the plot.
  • Fähnrich Dauerling as a fictional character who is not part of the plot.
  • Heinrich Heine as a historical person.

Note that a number of seemingly fictional characters are inspired by living persons. Examples are Oberleutnant Lukáš, Major Wenzl and many others.

Titles and ranks have until 2020 largely been missing on this web page. Senior Lieutenant Lukáš has, for instance, only been known as Lukáš. This weakness is now (24 Desember 2020) slowly being addressed. Military ranks and other titles related to Austrian officialdom will appear in German, and in line with the terms used at the time. This means that Captain Ságner is still referred to as Hauptmann although the term is now obsolete, having been replaced by Kapitän. Civilian titles denoting profession etc. are in general translated into English.

People index of people, mythical figures, animals ... (587) Show all
I. In the rear
II. At the front
III. The famous thrashing
Index Back Forward III. The famous thrashing Hovudpersonen

3. From Hatvan to the borders of Galicia

Einjährigfreiwilliger Železnýnn flag
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zelezny.jpg

Železný was a one-year volunteer, a dentist in civilian life, who was pivotal in the long story about Oberst Fliedler with which Švejk entertained Oberleutnant Lukáš in Sátoraljaújhely.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant, že sem na takovou věc nezapomněl, poněvadž já nejsem nějakej jednoroční dobrovolník Železný. To jsme tenkrát, ještě dávno před válkou, byli v karlínskejch kasárnách a tam byl nějakej obrst Fliedler von Bumerang nebo tak nějank.“
Oberst Fliedler von Bumerangnn flag
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bumerang.jpg

Fliedler was a brutal colonel at the Karlín barracks who couldn't remember Czech names. Švejk entertained Oberleutnant Lukáš with this story in Sátoraljaújhely. Einjährigfreiwilliger Železný, the main person in the story, was in turn called Olófěný, Cínofý, Médený, with a heavy teutonic accent. All these are adjective-forms of names of metals: iron(železný), copper(měděný), tin(cínový) and lead(olóvěný).

Late in the anecdote he got an aching tooth and had to beg Einjährigfreiwilliger Železný to pull it out. It also transpires that the colonel had long been dead. This story convinced Oberleutnant Lukáš that Švejk didn't respect his superiors at all.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant, že sem na takovou věc nezapomněl, poněvadž já nejsem nějakej jednoroční dobrovolník Železný. To jsme tenkrát, ještě dávno před válkou, byli v karlínskejch kasárnách a tam byl nějakej obrst Fliedler von Bumerang nebo tak nějank.“
Prince Lobkowicz, Ferdinandnn flag
*26.6.1850 Dolní Beřkovice - †22.4.1926 Milano
Wikipedia czde Search
lobkovic.jpg

Český svět, 25.6.1909

Lobkowicz is mentioned in passing as he had a full beard like Oberst Fliedler.

Background

Lobkowicz was a prince of the Czech noble house Lobkovic (often written Lobkowicz or Lobkowitz). He was first and foremost known as a politician and was the last Oberstlandmarschall in Bohemia (1908-1913). He was for a short period a member of the lower chamber but later a long time member of the upper chamber in Reichsrat where he sat from 1892 until the assembly was dissolved in 1918 (see Parlament). Politically he was conservative and fronted the interests of the large estate owners. He was also known as an expert on agricultural issues.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Nadporučík Lukáš se mimoděk usmál tomu „nějank“ a Švejk dále vyprávěl: „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant, že ten náš obrst byl půl vaší vejšky, nosil plnovous jako kníže Lobkovic, takže vypadal jako vopice, a když se rozčílil, vyskakoval dvakrát tak vysoko, jak byl sám vysokej, takže jsme mu říkali kaučukovej dědek.

Sources: Milan Hodík

Also written:Ferdinand von Lobkowitz de

Literature
Saint Martinnn flag
*316 Szombathely(Savaria) - †8.11.397 Candes
Wikipedia czdeenfrhuno Search
stmartin.jpg

St. Martin and the beggar by El Grego

Saint Martin (Martin of Tours) is mentioned in the anecdote about Oberst Fliedler.

Background

Saint Martin was bishop of Tours, later canonized. He is the national saint of France, patron saint of soldiers and one of the best known of the roman-catholic saints ever.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant,“ vpadl mu do toho Švejk omluvným tónem, „dyť von už je pan obrst Fliedler dávno mrtvej, ale když si, pane obrlajtnant, přejete, budu o něm mluvit samou chválu. Von byl vám, pane obrlajtnant, učiněnej anděl na vojáky. Von byl vám tak hodnej jako svatej Martin, kterej rozdával martinský husy chudejm a hladovejm.

Also written:Svatý Martin cz Szent Márton hu

Zugsführer Jelíneknn flag
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Jelínek was a squad leader who also struggled with the field password of the Pole from Kołomyja. This happened at the railway station in Sátoraljaújhely and exposed perfectly the language problems in Gemeinsame Armee.

Background

is an example of a figure who appear all over the novel Švejk: a seemingly fictional person but who might have had real-life model. The incident described might well refer to some episode the author himself experienced, and which he later added an unrelated (but still real) name to.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Objevil se četař Jelínek, který Poláka zaváděl na stráž, a ptal se ho sám po heslu, potom poručík Dub, na kteréž otázky odpovídal zoufalý Polák od Kolomyje křikem, který se rozléhal po nádraží: „kafé, kafé.“
Fähnrich Krausnn flag
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Kraus was a junior officer who expressed his opinion on the Hungarian state police's mistreatment of the local Ruthenian population in Humenné. According to him the Ruthenians had committed high treason and ought to be hung on the spot, although without being tortured.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Fähnrich Kraus mínil, že když už jsou velezrádci, mají se hned na místě oběsit beze všeho týrání, zato však poručík Dub s celým výjevem naprosto souhlasil a převedl to hned na sarajevský atentát a vysvětlil to tak, že ti maďarští četníci na stanici Humenné mstí smrt arciknížete Františka Ferdinanda a jeho choti.
Gardener Kalenda, Josefnn flag
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Kalenda is the protagonist of the anecdote Švejk finds fitting to tell Oberleutnant Lukáš when the senior lieutenant feels unwell after witnessing the harassment of the Ruthenians in Humenné and the approving reaction of Leutnant Dub. Švejk's theory is that Lukáš is far away from home, just like Kalenda was, after having been on an impressive pub-crawl from Strašnice across Vinohrady and the whole of Prague, and in the end found himself Loretánské náměstí, not feeling good at all.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Strašnickej zahradník, nějakej Josef Kalenda, ten se taky jednou vzdálil z domova, šel ze Strašnic na Vinohrady, stavil se ,Na zastávce’ v hospodě, ale to mu ještě nic nebylo, ale jakmile přišel do Korunní třídy k vodárně, bral v Korunní třídě až za kostel svaté Ludmily hospodu za hospodou a cítil už malátnost.
Feldwebel Houskann flag
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Houska was a seargeant from the 12th company who involuntarily became part of Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek's invented battalion history. He was assigned a heroic death; a mine blew his head off but he still managed to shoot down an enemy plane.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Jmenujte mně nějakého šikovatele od dvanácté kumpanie. Houska? Dobrá, tak tedy Houska přijde o hlavu s tou minou, hlava mu odletí, tělo však udělá ještě několik kroků, namíří si a sestřelí ještě nepřátelský aeroplán.
Erzherzogin Marie Valerienn flag
*22.4.1868 Buda - †6.9.1924 Wallsee
Wikipedia czdeen Search
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mariev.png

Wiener Abendpost,27.4.1868

Marie Valerie is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he writes about the Imperial family party at Schönbrunn which is held to celebrate the battalions heroic deeds.

Background

Marie Valerie was the daughter of Kaiser Franz Joseph I., married to her second cousin Franz Salvator. The couple had 8 children and the family spend most of their time at their palace in Wallsee. She lived out of the limelight, was regarded as rather shy and also very religious. To her entourage belonged, amongst others, Gräfin Bombelles and Graf Bellegarde.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Představuji si to tak, jak vidíte v mých poznámkách, že arcivévodská rodina Marie Valérie přesídlí kvůli tomu z Wallsee do Schönbrunnu.
Literature
Graf von Paar, Eduardnn flag
*5.12.1837 Wien - †1.2.1919 Wien
Wikipedia czde Search
paar.jpg

Reise und Sport,8.1.1912

Paar is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he writes about the imperial family party at Schönbrunn which is held to celebrate the battalions heroic deeds.

Background

Paar was the general aide to Kaiser Franz Joseph I. from 1887 until the emperor's death. He was awarded Signum Laudis on 25 August 1916. He was perhaps the person who was closest to the emperor.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Musí tam být a bude tam generální adjutant mocnáře hrabě Paar. Poněvadž při takových rodinných a intimních hostinách bývá občas někomu mdlo, čímž ovšem nemyslím, že se hrabě Paar snad poblije, je vyžadována přítomnost osobního lékaře, dvorního rady dra Kerzla.
Literature
Doctor Kerzl, Josefnn flag
*28.8.1841 Veska - †22.6.1919 Semmering
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kerzl.jpg

Světozor,8.9.1911

Kerzl is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he writes about the Imperial family party at Schönbrunn which is held to celebrate the battalions heroic deeds.

Background

Kerzl was, as the author correctly states, court physician and advisor for Kaiser Franz Joseph I. He was born and grew up in Bohemia. His education and background was from the military, and from 1884 he was already in the inner circles at the court in Vienna. He subsequently accompanied Kaiserin Elisabeth on her travels to Corfu and the Riviera.

In 1897 he became the personal doctor of the emperor, a position he had until the emperor's death on 21 November 1916 (Kerzl was present). In 1901 he was awarded the title Hofrat (court counselor), a title that also Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek noticed in his "History of the Battalion".

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Musí tam být a bude tam generální adjutant mocnáře hrabě Paar. Poněvadž při takových rodinných a intimních hostinách bývá občas někomu mdlo, čímž ovšem nemyslím, že se hrabě Paar snad poblije, je vyžadována přítomnost osobního lékaře, dvorního rady dra Kerzla.
Literature
Baron von Lederer, Hugonn flag
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Das interessante Blatt,9.11.1916

lederer.png

Prager Tagblatt,30.7.1915

Lederer is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he writes about the Imperial family party at Schönbrunn which is held to celebrate the battalions heroic deeds. He is referred to as Baron Lederer.

Background

Lederer was according to Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek Obersthofmeister at the Habsburg Court. This is correct, but his precise role was Obersthofmeister for Franz Salvator, the husband of Erzherzogin Marie Valerie.

In 1890 he was named Kammervorsteher for Franz Salvator. His background was from the military: he had until then served at k.u.k. Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 3. It has not been possible to establish when he was born and when he died, but newspaper clips confirm that he was alive as late as 1930.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Kvůli pořádku, aby si snad dvorní lokajové nedovolili nějaké důvěrnosti ku dvorním dámám přítomným na hostině, objevuje se nejvyšší hofmistr baron Lederer, komoří hrabě Bellegarde a vrchní dvorní dáma hraběnka Bombellesová, která hraje mezi dvorními dámami stejnou úlohu jako madam v bordelu u Šuhů.

Sources: Milan Hodík

Literature
Graf von Bellegarde, Rudolfnn flag
*28.2.1862 Wien (?) - †30.10.1937 Bad Ischl
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bellegarde2.jpg

Wiener Salonblatt,15.8.1891

bellegarde.jpg

Adolph Lehmann's allgemeiner Wohnungs-Anzeiger, 1914

bellegarde1.png

Wiener Salonblatt,14.11.1937

Bellegarde was according to Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek a count serving as chamberlain at the Imperial court. This is part of the story of the Imperial family party at Schönbrunn which is held to celebrate the heroic deeds of the march battalion.

Background

Bellegarde was count, officer and chamberlain at the Imperial and Royal court, more precisely Kammervorsteher serving Erzherzogin Marie Valerie and her court.

Hailing from a noble family, he embarked on a military career, serving in Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 2 a.o. From here he was transferred to the imperial life guard, starting service on 15 Desember 1886.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Kvůli pořádku, aby si snad dvorní lokajové nedovolili nějaké důvěrnosti ku dvorním dámám přítomným na hostině, objevuje se nejvyšší hofmistr baron Lederer, komoří hrabě Bellegarde a vrchní dvorní dáma hraběnka Bombellesová, která hraje mezi dvorními dámami stejnou úlohu jako madam v bordelu u Šuhů.

Sources: Milan Hodík

Also written:Hrabě Bellegarde Hašek

Literature
Gräfin von Bombelles, Henriettenn flag
*1859 Wien (?) - †Wallsee(?)
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bombelles.png

Das interessante Blatt,9.11.1916

bombelles1.png

Adolph Lehmann's allgemeiner Wohnungs-Anzeiger,1914

Bombelles is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he writes about the imperial family party at Schönbrunn which is held to celebrate the battalion's heroic deeds. Countess Bombelles had the same position at the Imperial Court as "madam" has at the brothel U Šuhů.

Background

Bombelles was a countess and supposed to have been the chief lady-in-waiting at the court. More precisely: she was lady-in-waiting for Erzherzogin Marie Valerie. Personal details are scarce but we know that she served Marie Valerie from 1 January 1898, was married, and was alive as late as 1937 (confirmed by a newspaper note about her sister's death). The spa visitor's lists from Bad Ischl indicate that she served Marie Valerie also after the end of the world war. Bombelles' forefathers were a French noble family who emigrated after the revolution in 1789.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Kvůli pořádku, aby si snad dvorní lokajové nedovolili nějaké důvěrnosti ku dvorním dámám přítomným na hostině, objevuje se nejvyšší hofmistr baron Lederer, komoří hrabě Bellegarde a vrchní dvorní dáma hraběnka Bombellesová, která hraje mezi dvorními dámami stejnou úlohu jako madam v bordelu u Šuhů.

Sources: Milan Hodík

Literature
Erzherzog Karlnn flag
*5.9.1771 Firenze - †30.4.1847 Wien
Wikipedia czdesv Search
karl1771.jpg

Karl is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he prepares a heroic death for telephone operator Chodounský and cook Jurajda in his pre-written history of the battalion. Here Marek notes that Karl was standing in front of Padua in 1805.

Background

Karl was an Austrian field-marshal and archduke of the House of Habsburg. He made himself a name during the Napoleonic wars, the battles of Caldiero and Aspern are both mentioned in the novel. He was the first ever to inflict a defeat on Napoléon in a battle (Aspern 1809).

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Mohu vám přečíst výňatek z armádního rozkazu, který bude čten po všech oddílech armády, který se velice podobá onomu rozkazu arcivévody Karla, když stál se svým vojskem roku 1805 před Paduou a den po rozkazu dostal slušný nátěr.

Also written:Karel Ludvík Rakousko-Těšínský cz

Mr. Jaroš, Václavnn flag
*1844 - †1902
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Hospodářský list, 31.12.1908

jaros0.png

Chytilův adresár, 1913

Jaroš was a pump manufacturer in Kralupy who according to Švejk very much resembled watchmaker Lejhanz from Pardubice and Piskora from Jičín by appearance. Švejk mentions him when he's talking in his sleep, still under the influence of the "cognac" he consumed in Humenné.

Background

Jaroš was a real person. Address books confirm that Václav Jaroš from Kralupy manufactured and installed water pipes and drains. Pumps are not mentioned directly but the connection is obvious. This is confirmed by newspaper adverts from 1907 and 1908 where the word "pumps" is spelled out directly. Václav Jaroš died in 1902 and it was probably his son who continued the business. Extensive information can be found in the book Historie kralupského průmyslu, řemesel a živností by Josef Stupka (see quote below).

Továrna na čerpadla a vodovody Václava Jaroše

Ke konci 19. století založil zámečník Václav Jaroš (1844-1902) závod na výrobu čerpadel, vodovodů a automatických napajedel. Z malé dílny v Přemyslově ulici pod Hostibejkem se přestěhoval do prostoru mezi dnešní Čechovu ulici a ulici Přemyslovu. Jarošova továrna byla zachycena na četných fotografiích i na pohlednicích. Jméno továrníka Jaroše je dokonce v Haškově románu Osudy ... .

Vodní čerpadla, která Václav Jaroš vyráběl, byla založena na pohyblivém řetězu s korečky obíhajícími ve vodě. Dalšími výrobky Jarošovy továrny, tzv. automatická napajedla, která byla Jarošovým patentem, byly vlastně jednoduché žlaby upravené tak, aby kráva, která se chce napít, sama otevřela přívod vody do žlabu. Na reklamním obrázku z pozdějších let je továrna zobrazena jako veliký podnik.

Podnik prosperoval až do konce první světové války, kdy jej převzala velvarská hospodářská záložna. Na začátku druhé světové války vykoupil syn Václava Jaroše podnik zpět a k čerpadlům se již nevrátil. V továrně zavedl opravy hospodářských strojů. V šedesátých letech minulého století skončila i tato činnost.

Bratr kralupského podnikatele Josef Jaroš, rovněž vyučený zámečník, měl firmu v Plzni. Zhotovil pro kralupský kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie a sv. Václava umělecky provedený lustr a pro budovu sokolovny ve Fugnerově ulici vytepal z kovu sochu divokého sokola. Byl umístěn na štítu budovy,, jak je patrné ze starých pohlednic.

© Josef Stupka, 2008

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Z místa, kde ležel Švejk, ozvalo se zívnutí a bylo slyšet, jak Švejk mluví ze spaní: „To mají pravdu, paní Müllerová, že jsou si lidi podobný. V Kralupech stavěl pumpy nějaký pan Jaroš a ten se podobal hodináři Lejhanzovi z Pardubic, jako když mu z voka vypadne, a ten zas byl tak nápadně podobnej jičínskýmu Piskorovi a všichni čtyři dohromady neznámýmu sebevrahovi, kterýho našli voběšenýho a úplně zetlelýho v jednom rybníku u Jindřichova Hradce, zrovna pod dráhou, kde se asi vrhnul pod vlak.“

Sources: Josef Stupka, Martina Bittnerová, Václav Gabriel

Literature
Watchmaker Lejhanznn flag
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Lejhanz was a watchmaker from Pardubice. Švejk mentions him when he's talking in his sleep, see Mr. Jaroš.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Z místa, kde ležel Švejk, ozvalo se zívnutí a bylo slyšet, jak Švejk mluví ze spaní: „To mají pravdu, paní Müllerová, že jsou si lidi podobný. V Kralupech stavěl pumpy nějaký pan Jaroš a ten se podobal hodináři Lejhanzovi z Pardubic, jako když mu z voka vypadne, a ten zas byl tak nápadně podobnej jičínskýmu Piskorovi a všichni čtyři dohromady neznámýmu sebevrahovi, kterýho našli voběšenýho a úplně zetlelýho v jednom rybníku u Jindřichova Hradce, zrovna pod dráhou, kde se asi vrhnul pod vlak.“
Piskorann flag
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Piskora from Jičín is mentioned when Švejk talks in his sleep, still strongly hit by the bottle of cognac he had to gulp down. Piskora resembles watchmaker Lejhanz and Mr. Jaroš in this dream.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Z místa, kde ležel Švejk, ozvalo se zívnutí a bylo slyšet, jak Švejk mluví ze spaní: „To mají pravdu, paní Müllerová, že jsou si lidi podobný. V Kralupech stavěl pumpy nějaký pan Jaroš a ten se podobal hodináři Lejhanzovi z Pardubic, jako když mu z voka vypadne, a ten zas byl tak nápadně podobnej jičínskýmu Piskorovi a všichni čtyři dohromady neznámýmu sebevrahovi, kterýho našli voběšenýho a úplně zetlelýho v jednom rybníku u Jindřichova Hradce, zrovna pod dráhou, kde se asi vrhnul pod vlak.“
Feldwebel Strnadnn flag
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strnad.jpg

Dub, Ságner and the soldier who was berated by Strnad

Strnad was sergeant who berated a soldier who had picked up the door of a pigsty for protection against shrapnel. Hauptmann Ságner, fed up with Leutnant Dub's idiotic drivel kindly let the offender off with a warning.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Na víc se nezmohl a opět odešel ke štábnímu vagonu, kde hejtman Ságner právě vyslýchal jednoho nešťastníka od 12. kumpanie, kterého předvedl šikovatel Strnad, poněvadž voják začal již nyní pečovat o svou bezpečnost v zákopech a odněkud ze stanice přitáhl dvířka prasečího chlívku, pobitá plechem.
Offiziersdiener Kunertnn flag
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kunert.jpg

Kunert was the servant of Leutnant Dub, subdued og mistreated. Švejk defended him after Dub had hit him, took him to the battalion commander to report the issue. Švejk has now put off his contented look and is in open rebellion. Courage deserts Kunert though, but Dub make sit all clear again by shouting: "Do you want another smack!"

It is revealed that Kunert is from Budějovice, has a wife and three children. Švejk met Kunert already in Humenné, but the aforementioned episode took place shortly after, in the Łupków Pass.

Background

There may have been several Kunert passing through Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 during the war, and one of them, Leutnant Anton Kunert served together with Hašek. The two were both taken prisoner by at Chorupan 24 September 1915[a] so may have met also after that date. Unlike the literary Kunert Anton was not from Budějovice (he was from okres Slány) and he is not explicitly listed as a officer's servant.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Poručík Dub, aby jaksi ukázal, že nemá s touto scénou nic společného, majestátně vešel do malého krámku u silnice, zmateně ukázal na velkou cívku černých nití, a zastrčiv si je do kapsy, zaplatil a vrátil se do štábního vagonu, kam si dal batalionní ordonancí zavolat svého sluhu Kunerta, kterému odevzdávaje nitě, řekl: „Abych se o všechno staral, já vím, že jste na nitě zapomněl.“
References
aThe battle of ChorupanJomar Hønsi2021
Leutnant Procházkann flag
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Procházka was an active lieutenant who in Budějovice had the habit of calling servant Offiziersdiener Hibman, "you sublime cow", something Švejk tells Offiziersdiener Kunert when the latter is complaining about the hard times that his master Leutnant Dub gives him.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] V Budějovicích byl za aktiva lajtnant Procházka, ten zas mnoho nenadával, jen svému pucflekovi říkal: ,Ty spanilá krávo.’ Jinou nadávku ten pucflek, nějakej Hibman, vod něho neslyšel.
Offiziersdiener Hibmannn flag
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Hibman was an officer's servant in Budějovice who was routinely called "you sublime cow" by Leutnant Procházka. Later he re-used this expression uncritically with tragic effects.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] V Budějovicích byl za aktiva lajtnant Procházka, ten zas mnoho nenadával, jen svému pucflekovi říkal: ,Ty spanilá krávo.’ Jinou nadávku ten pucflek, nějakej Hibman, vod něho neslyšel.
Leutnant Cajthamlnn flag
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Cajthaml was a lieutenant who headed the requisitioning patrol in Medzilaborce which was to secure lunch for the troops. A Ruthenian farmer family became victims of the patrol.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Mužstvu bylo oznámeno, že oběd bude za Palotou v Lupkovském průsmyku, a také vyšli do obce Medzilaborce batalionní účetní šikovatel s kuchaři od kumpanií a poručíkem Cajthamlem, který měl na starosti hospodářství batalionu. K nim byli přiděleni čtyři mužové jako patrola.
Oberst Schlágrnn flag
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schroder.jpg

Das ist wahrscheinlich Katzendreck, Herr Schlager.

Josef Lada, 1930

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Grete Reiner's groundbreaking translation of "Švejk" is the only widely read version of the novel where Colonel Schlager still features. The picture is from 1921 and five years later her translation was on the market.

Schlágr was an officer who in Bruck held a farewell speech to Švejk's march battalion as they set off for the journey to the front. Švejk quoted him in Łupków Pass when soldiers pondered some abandoned Russian equipment and Leutnant Dub walked over to them, trying to catch Švejk in the hope that he had aired unpatriotic opinions. The good soldier calmly told the idiotic lieutenant that Schlágr had talked to the departing troops about the necessity to observe the situation on the battlefield and learn from it.

Background

The colonel Švejk that talks about is no doubt Karl Schlager who was commander of Ersatzbataillon IR. 91 from 25 August 1914 until 26 July 1915. Thus he would have been Hašek's superior in Bruck where the recruitment battalion of Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 were stationed from 1 June. If the colonel's speech is inspired by the author's experiences it would almost certainly have taken place on 30 June 1915, the day that Hašek and his XII. Marschbataillon boarded the train that transported them to the front.

A non-person
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Paul Selver's is the only of the three translations of "Švejk" into English that preserves colonel Schlager for future generations. The reason is that he translated the novel as early as 1930, more than 20 years before someone hit upon the idea to replace Schlager with Schröder.

Schlágr is one of only two persons who have "disappeared" from the novel (the other one is Korporal Říha). Sometime between 1953 and 1955 Schlágr fell victim to a "clean-up" of the text. This included correcting spelling mistakes in foreign language quotes, grammatical errors, updating geographical names to suit current language norms, and also correcting inconsequential and incomprehensible phrases[1]. One of the results of this process was that the literary Schlágr was renamed Oberst Schröder and thus consigned to the scrap-heap of history. There is however no doubt that Švejk actually did refer to the senior colonel who saved his skin and even promoted him to messenger after the kako affair but it seems that Hašek somehow forgot that he had previously had called the colonel "Schröder".

Still, Schlágr clings to his precarious existence in several translations, namely those that originate from the inter-war period or the years immediately following the Second World War. Examples are primarily those of Paul Selver (English), Grete Reiner (German) and Knuud Bruun-Rasmussen (Danish) (all translated the name as Schlager). He also lives on in Esperanto, but has mutated into Oberst Schröder in newer translations into English, namely those by Cecil Parrott and Zenny Sadlon. The recent translation into German by Antonín Brousek (2014) uses Schröder, and so do the newest translations into Russian, Polish, Norwegian and Dutch.

Tripping up švejkologists

For many years the renaming of Schlágr tripped up švejkologist in their attempts to identify a model for Oberst Schröder. Not until it was noticed that Jaroslav Hašek already in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí (1917) had named the regiment commander plukovník Schlager did one start to suspect that Karl Schlager was indeed the prototype.

1. Pavel Petr, Hašeks "Schweijk" in Deutschland, 1962

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] „Poslušně hlásím, pane lajtnant, že je to přání našeho pana obršta Schlágra z Brucku. Když von se s náma loučil, když jsme jeli teď na bojiště, tak ve svý řeči řek, abychom všichni, když budem procházet vopuštěnými bojišti, všeho si dobře všímali, jak se bojovalo a co by nám mohlo bejt na prospěch.

Sources: Pavel Petr

Bishop Brynych, Edvard Jannn flag
*4.5.1846 Vlásenice - †20.11.1902 Chrast
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Brynych is mentioned by Švejk in the anecdote about the chamber pot in Poděbrady. This is a story he told Leutnant Dub in Łupków Pass as the lieutenant again tried to catch him at unpatriotic behaviour.

Background

Brynych (born Eduard Josef) was bishop of Hradec Králové from 1892 to 1902.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] A von mu ten jeho kamarád napsal takovej fejton vo takovým jednom sběrateli, jak našel v písku na břehu Labe starej nočník plechovej a myslel, že to přilbice svatýho Václava, a udělal s tím takovej rozruch, že se tam na to přijel podívat biskup Brynych z Hradce s procesím a s korouhvema.
Leutnant Hausnernn flag
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Hausner is mentioned by Švejk when he pulls Offiziersdiener Kunert to report. Hausner from the barracks in Karlín was like Leutnant Dub into the habit of hitting his servant.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Teď ty musíš jít sám k raportu, a jestli nepudeš, tak ti sám nafackuju, abys věděl, co je to disciplina v armádě. V karlínskejch kasárnách bejval ňákej lajtnant Hausner a ten měl taky burše, a taky ho fackoval a kopal.
Medik Houbičkann flag
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Houbička is a medicine student mentioned by Švejk when he pulls Offiziersdiener Kunert to report.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Ale to na celý věci nic nemění,“ pokračoval Švejk, „to je zrovna to samý, vo čem vždycky vypravoval medik Houbička, že je to jedno, rozřezat v patalogickým ústavě ňákýho člověka, který se voběsil nebo votrávil. A já jdu s tebou. Pár facek dělá na vojně moc.“
Koudelann flag
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Koudela is a soldier from Bytouchov who is mentioned by Švejk when he pulls Offiziersdiener Kunert to report. Koudela ended up on a pacific island and was discovered by explorer Havlasa.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] A nebejt mě, tak by se k tomu raportu snad vůbec nedostal, jako ten Koudela z Bytouchova, kterej za aktivní služby tak dlouho chodil k raportu, až byl přeloženej k marině, kde se stal kornetem, a byl na ňákým vostrově potom, v Tichým oceánu, vyhlášenej jako desertýr. Von se tam potom voženil a mluvil taky s cestovatelem Havlasou, kterej vůbec nepoznal, že to není domorodec.
Explorer Havlasa, Jannn flag
*22.12.1883 Teplice - †13.08.1964 Los Angeles
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havlasa1.png

Pestrý týden,14.9.1929

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Zlatá Praha,3.10.1913

Havlasa was the traveller who, according to the good soldier, found Koudela on an island in the Pacific.

Background

Havlasa (born Jan Klecanda) was a Czech journalist, author, explorer and diplomat. Before World War I he undertook long journeys in Asia, Polynesia and America and when back home he wrote about and held lectures about his journeys. At the time he was first and foremost known as an explorer and traveller.

In April 1915 he was sentenced to a seven month prison term because of the brochure Colonial politics and the world war that was published in November the previous year. The case was heard at k.k. Landwehr divisional court at Hradčany and he served the sentence in the neighbouring garrison prison. In February 1916, at the request of the chief state prosecutor, the sentence was extended with one year. In June 1917 he was released and immediately entered military service.

In 1919 took part at the Versailles peace conference, representing Czechoslovakia. He was later ambassador to Brazil and Chile. After the Nazi occupation of his homeland in 1939 he went into exile and was active in the resistance movement. In 1947 he emigrated to USA where he lived for the rest of his life.

Jaroslav Hašek knew Havlasa already from his youth. Both attended the gymnasium at Žitna ulice at the same time (Hašek from 1893 to 1897). Both also contributed regularly to the illustrated weekly Zlatá Praha. Havlasa was son of the author Jan Klecanda and brother of the Czech legionnaire Jiří Klecanda.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] A nebejt mě, tak by se k tomu raportu snad vůbec nedostal, jako ten Koudela z Bytouchova, kterej za aktivní služby tak dlouho chodil k raportu, až byl přeloženej k marině, kde se stal kornetem, a byl na ňákým vostrově potom, v Tichým oceánu, vyhlášenej jako desertýr. Von se tam potom voženil a mluvil taky s cestovatelem Havlasou, kterej vůbec nepoznal, že to není domorodec.
Literature
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Karlík is a businessman who is part of Švejk's anecdote regarding the destroyed Red Cross train by Kulaszne.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Tam bydlel nějakej pan Karlík v prvním patře. O poschodí vejš moc hodnej člověk, nějakej konservatorista Mikeš. Von měl moc rád ženský a taky mezi jinejma počal chodit za dcerou toho pana Karlíka, kterej měl špeditérství a cukrářství a taky měl někde na Moravě knihařství pod ňákou docela cizou firmou.
Konservatorista Mikešnn flag
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Mikeš is a music conservatory student who is part of Švejk's anecdote regarding the Red Cross train by Kulaszne.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Tam bydlel nějakej pan Karlík v prvním patře. O poschodí vejš moc hodnej člověk, nějakej konservatorista Mikeš. Von měl moc rád ženský a taky mezi jinejma počal chodit za dcerou toho pana Karlíka, kterej měl špeditérství a cukrářství a taky měl někde na Moravě knihařství pod ňákou docela cizou firmou.
Index Back Forward III. The famous thrashing Hovudpersonen

3. From Hatvan to the borders of Galicia


© 2008 - 2024 Jomar Hønsi Last updated: 16.3.2024