Re: The temptation of Don Quixote. -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 07:29:33 01/21/08 Mon
Author: Kiernan
Subject: Re: The temptation of Don Quixote.
In reply to: j.jackson 's message, "The temptation of Don Quixote." on 07:09:42 01/18/08 Fri

Perhaps some of my favorite passages in this class period's reading were in the introduction to "To Double Business Bound." Girard speaks of modern literary criticism, and says, "It has now become axiomatic that 'words' and 'things' must go their separate ways, or at least that they cannot 'imitate' each other (viii)." He later says, "literary criticism has been divided between the 'reductionists' and the 'worshipers of beauty'. Behind the opposition of the two schools lies a common belief in the ultimately inconsequential nature of all works of art as far as real knowledge is concerned (xi)." Girard's belief in the real connection between words and things leads to his view in the real importance of literature, and thus of literary criticism, and thus to his theory of mimetic desire. Too often, we not only dismiss the imporance of literary criticism, of reading, but we are careless of the strong connection between words and reality. We tend to treat words as arbitrary; we forget that words shape meaning, shape thinking, and thus shape action. By acknowleding this connection, Girard is enabled to understand the "system" behind our thoughts and actions.

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