Mimesis in David Copperfield -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 20:49:52 02/06/08 Wed
Author: Erin Risch
Subject: Mimesis in David Copperfield

We're reading David Copperfield for Dr. Whalen's class, and much of the plot centers around mimetic desire. The most traumatic event of the novel occurs when Copperfield's corrupt friend, Steerforth, runs away with and disgraces Copperfield's childhood sweetheart. Miss Mowcher, a dwarf of inestimable wisdom, later reveals the mimetic rivalry to Copperfield:

"'Young innocence' (so he called you, and you may call him 'Old Guilt' all the days of your life) has set his heart upon her, and she was giddy and liked him, but his master was resolved that no harm should come of it--more for your sake than for hers--and that that was their business here? How could I but believe him? I saw Steerforth soothe and please you by his praise of her! You were the first to mention her name. You owned to an old admiration of her. You were hot and cold, and red and white, all at once when I spoke to you of her."

I had initially thought that Dickens later falls into the trap of what Girard would call romanticism. He emphasizes the importance of a "disciplined heart." Clearly Steerforth does not have one. But Copperfield comes to maturity by disciplining his heart, and finds true love with Agnes. I wondered if the novel was positing that disciplined hearts weren't subject to models and mediation, but then I remembered that Copperfield's de facto love of Agnes surfaces while he's trying to protect her from the love of creepy Uriah Heep. Copperfield may not want to imitate Uriah, but upon finding it possibile that Uriah would have Agnes, at the very least his subconscious begins to love Agnes.

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Replies:

Re: Mimesis in David Copperfield -- Cara, 10:34:25 02/09/08 Sat
Postive Mimesis -- Erin Risch, 11:03:06 02/09/08 Sat