Mimesis by Erich Auerbach is a classic book of literary criticism. It is considered to be one of the key works of the field, and it has profoundly influenced thinking about literature in the twentieth century.
Mimesis was published in English in 1953, although it was originally written in German in 1939. Auerbach wrote the book while in exile from his home in Germany. He was escaping from the Nazis, who he believed posed a threat to his academic pursuits. The book is an analysis of Western literature throughout history, which Auerbach argues has a common theme of “mimesis” – the idea of using metaphor to convey truth in an artistic way.
Auerbach analyzed works of literature from the Bible to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, going on to the modern era. He used these examples to illustrate his theory that literary works often serve to re-create the world in a new and creative way. This is what he termed “mimesis”, and it was seen as an important concept in understanding literature because it showed how authors could use their creativity to create something new.
The major themes of Mimesis are the timelessness of literature, the power of mimesis, the influence of the Christian religion, and the relationship between the works of the past and the present. Auerbach argued that literature is timeless and that certain works from the past remain relevant to the present, because literature is a reflection of human experience. This is why, according to Auerbach, certain works of literature contain truths that have been relevant for centuries, such as the Bible or Homer’s ancient Greek epics.
The idea of mimesis is a key theme of the book, as Auerbach sought to show how works of literature can recreate the world. Auerbach focussed on two particular writers – Dante and Shakespeare – to illustrate his point that literature can shape our understanding of the world, and that the models found in their works are often applicable to different ages and places.
Auerbach also argued that the Christian religion had a profound influence on literature. He saw literature as a reflection of the Christian faith, and believed that many works of literature re-presented the teachings of Christianity in different ways. For example, Auerbach argued that Dante’s Inferno was indicative of a belief in a Christian afterlife, while Shakespeare’s works revealed an understanding of the complexities of human behavior.
Finally, Auerbach explored the relationship between the works of the past and the present. He argued that literature from different eras can be compared and contrasted, and that the same themes and ideas often appear in different works. For example, he argued that stories about love could be found in works from the ancient world as well as from the modern era.
In conclusion, Mimesis is an important book of literary criticism, and it has had tremendous influence in shaping our understanding of literature. Auerbach’s study of literature revealed the timelessness of literature, the power of mimesis, the impact of the Christian religion, and the relationship between the works of the past and the present. Furthermore, it is clear that Auerbach’s ideas have had a lasting impact on how we view literature, and how it serves to recreate the world in a creative way.
