Keesey, Ch 4 (Introduction) -- Jerz EL312 (Literary Criticism)
"In other words, critics operating within a system of thought can account for the function of literature and measure its truth in terms of a larger framework of ideas" (Keesey 210).
Mimetic criticisms appear could actually a relation to the three different forms of criticisms we have already looked at: Authorial Intent, Reader-Response, and Formalism. Think about this: although we do not have an author, there is a meaning that is being searched for that either the reader finds, or the author establishes, not because it is the want of the author for the reader, or himself, but really it is a want to seek the real truth. If it not a search for truth, then it is a showing of a truth or a piece of evidence of reality that has been found by the author to be shown to the audience.
There can be multiple interpretations of a mimetic criticism, but really, it is a literary mixed bag o' goodies, but the only difference is the goal or task at hand. The primary focus of the mimetic criticism is to show that there is a piece of philosophical reality that is seen from the person who wrote the literature, and throught form and content, is showing the audience either the truth, or the harshness of the reality which they are apart of in their particular time period, or for generations afterward.
Overall, this is a very intense criticism that is going to take a lot of time to invest, because after all, everyone is searching for the overall truth in a piece of literature.
Posted by The Gentle Giant at February 25, 2007 8:30 PMI agree with you that there really is an overlap in the criticisms for this week. I actually find it refreshing that finally we are seeing an approach to criticism that admits there can be crossover in the criticisms. I metioned in my blog how this criticism may prove to be the most interesting to me and maybe even the best approach for me.
I agree with you when you say that this approach is all about seeing the reality and the truth in a work of literature. I think that this approach is neccessary because some people may not see the reality in a piece until it is pointed out to them.
Posted by: Tiffany at February 27, 2007 1:43 PMNice analysis Jay. I think that you make a really good point. I have read a lot about mimetic criticism being the most open to different types of arguments that utilize and overlap other criticisms and I also think that is what makes me like mimetic best, too. That and the fact that if a piece of literature isn't in some way about real life in some way, then what the heck is it about instead? Not anything I want to read.
Posted by: Lorin at March 1, 2007 7:05 AMI really feel like I have gained a strong interpretation of mimetic criticisms. I think that this is my strongest point so far, and I think that it is because I am making relations between Mimeses with all types of other criticisms. I have found that different criticisms can interrelate with each other, and that is what makes this so great.
Posted by: Jason Pugh at April 4, 2007 9:48 PM