Mimesis in Fiction
Introduction
- Key Concept: Mimesis – Derived from Plato, meaning the imitation of reality.
- Plato viewed both reality and its imitation as unsatisfactory.
- Republic: Plato’s critique of poets (and potentially novelists) as producers of poor imitations.
Historical Perspectives on Mimesis
- Plato’s Criticism: Art as a copy of an imperfect reality.
- Erich Auerbach: Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature
- Chronicles Western literature’s evolution toward more accurate representations of reality.
- Includes examples from Homer to Flaubert.
- Skepticism toward mimesis increases in modern literature.
Shakespeare and Mimesis
- Hamlet: “Hold the mirror up to nature”—an exploration of reflecting but not perfectly replicating reality.
Mimesis in Contemporary Fiction
- Gregg Hurwitz:
- Balances verisimilitude with storytelling.
- Example: The Crime Writer includes self-referential critiques of mimesis.
- Philosophy: Representation must feel real but not necessarily replicate reality.
Techniques in Mimesis
1. Dialogue
- Realistic dialogue is often cleaner and more purposeful than real-life conversation.
- Example: Avoiding excessive pauses and redundancies while maintaining authenticity.
2. Research
- Authenticity through experience:
- Interviews (e.g., observing cadaver preparation).
- Immersive experiences (e.g., participating in mixed martial arts, demolition training).
- Leave out excessive detail to avoid overwhelming the narrative (e.g., “tip of the iceberg” approach).
3. Balancing Realism and Creativity
- Avoid clichés by subverting expectations.
- Examples:
- Choking scenes avoiding generic depictions like “everything went dark.”
- Adding specific, impactful details.
Location as Character
Los Angeles in The Crime Writer
- Satirical and deeply personal depiction of L.A.’s duality—glamour vs. superficiality.
- Demonstrates a unique point of view shaped by personal experience and research.
San Francisco in Tell No Lies
- The city reflects the protagonist’s internal struggles.
- Descriptions capture layers of cultural and historical evolution (e.g., “Beatniks to hippies to yuppies to fauxhemians”).
Conclusion
Locations and characters must intertwine to reflect and amplify the narrative’s emotional and intellectual core.
Mimesis remains a foundational concept in literature and storytelling.
Effective mimesis strikes a balance between realism, creativity, and thematic depth.