Positive mimesis in writing -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 05:42:42 04/06/08 Sun
Author: Janelle
Subject: Positive mimesis in writing

As I was reviewing some notes for another class I came across a quote from the Victorian writer/poet Matthew Arnold that I thought emphasized how important and essential imitation can be. Perhaps it is just a characteristic of living in a post-Romantic world, but there can be no denying that there is an emphasis on being "original" and of making your own mark on the world. As a result, aspiring writers and poets especially seem to be driven to create something new without imitating any one else. This is something Matthew Arnold believed to be foolish. In his preface to "Poems" he writes that it is important for writers to have a guide, although he does concede that a contemporary Shakespeare is not to be found. Instead he suggests this:
"Failing this, all that an be looked for, all indeed that can be desired is, that [the writer's] attention should be fixed on excellent models; that he may reproduce, at any rate, something of their excellence, by penetrating himself with their works and by catching their spirit, if he cannot be taught to produce what is excellent independently."
There is such an emphasis on this idea of "being original", that often models are flat out rejected instead of being used to aid and improve. I think Arnold understands the importance of models and provides us with an instance of positive mimesis.

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