Technical Summary of "Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature"
Introduction
Erich Auerbach's seminal work, "Mimesis," explores the representation of everyday life in Western literature from Homer to Virginia Woolf. Auerbach argues that the way writers represent reality is intimately connected to the social and intellectual conventions of their time.
Methodology
Auerbach employs a historicist approach, examining literary styles and techniques within their historical context. He draws extensively on primary sources, including epics, novels, plays, memoirs, and letters. Through close analysis, he identifies recurring patterns and developments in the representation of reality.
Aristotelian Legacy and Rhetorical Constraints
Auerbach challenges the Aristotelian tradition of rhetorical styles, which assigns specific genres and subject matters to different styles. He argues that this doctrine limits the ability of writers to represent reality fully. Auerbach finds an alternative in the Bible, which portrays common people and their encounters with the divine in a serious and poignant manner.
Mixed Style and Popular Realism
Influenced by the Bible, Christian rhetoric develops a "mixed style" that merges high and low styles, representing both the sublime and the mundane. This leads to a "popular realism" seen in medieval religious plays and sermons. Auerbach also traces the development of an intermediate style, influenced by medieval courtly love and the anti-rhetorical stance of Renaissance thinkers.
Modern Realism and Faith
In the 19th century, Auerbach identifies a "modern realism" exemplified by writers like Flaubert, who reject the constraints of rhetorical styles and engage with everyday experience. He argues that Flaubert's "faith in the truth of language" mirrors the biblical writers' faith in the "tyrannical" truth of God, producing an authentic and historically grounded representation of reality.
Comparison of the Odyssey and Genesis
Auerbach's famous opening comparison between Homer's Odyssey and the biblical account of the Sacrifice of Isaac highlights the fundamental differences in the representation of reality. Homer's style is characterized by externalized description and uninterrupted connection, while the Old Testament employs dramatic focus, psychological depth, and historical perspective. Auerbach suggests that the Bible's "tyrannical" claim to truth grants it a more powerful and historically relevant representation.
Critical Reception
"Mimesis" has been widely praised for its insightful analysis of individual works and its comprehensive historical perspective. However, it has also been criticized for lacking a single overarching theme or claim. Nonetheless, individual chapters are frequently read independently, providing valuable insights into the representation of reality in specific literary epochs.
Conclusion
Auerbach's "Mimesis" remains a foundational text in literary criticism. Its emphasis on historical context, the interplay between style and subject matter, and the power of language to represent reality continue to shape contemporary discussions on the relationship between literature and the world it portrays.