Mimicry in Literature & Literary Theory

Mimicry: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term:

The term “mimicry” has its roots in the Greek word “mimēsis,” meaning imitation or representation. It entered the English language in the 17th century, referring to the act of copying or imitating someone or something.

Meanings and Concept:

• Biological Mimicry: In biology, mimicry is a phenomenon where one organism closely resembles another organism or object, often resulting in a survival advantage. This can be classified into Batesian mimicry, where a harmless species mimics the appearance of a harmful or poisonous one, and Mullerian mimicry, where two harmful species evolve to resemble each other.
• Behavioral Mimicry: This involves imitating the actions or behaviors of others. In social contexts, individuals may exhibit mimicry as a form of non-verbal communication, establishing rapport and fostering social bonds.
• Technological Mimicry: In the realm of technology, mimicry refers to the replication or imitation of design elements, functionalities, or innovations from one product or system to another. This can be observed in the tech industry where companies may adopt successful features pioneered by competitors.
• Cultural Mimicry: Within cultural studies, mimicry describes the imitation or adoption of cultural practices, customs, or styles from one group by another. This can occur between different societies, ethnicities, or even subcultures.
• Mimicry in Language and Literature: In linguistics and literature, mimicry is the imitation of speech patterns, writing styles, or literary techniques. Writers may employ mimicry for various purposes, such as satire, parody, or homage, showcasing a deep understanding of the work they are imitating.

Mimicry: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Mimicry, as a theoretical term, refers to the act or phenomenon of imitation, where one entity replicates the characteristics or behaviors of another. This concept spans diverse fields, including biology, where organisms imitate to gain a survival advantage, and cultural studies, where groups may adopt practices from others. The theoretical framework of mimicry underscores its role in adaptation, communication, and the transmission of traits across different domains.

Mimicry: Theorists, Works and Argument

Theorist	Works	Argument
Charles Darwin	On the Origin of Species	Darwin introduced the concept of mimicking in the context of natural selection, emphasizing how species evolve traits that imitate others for enhanced survival and reproductive success.
Henry Walter Bates	Mimicry in Butterflies	Bates, through extensive fieldwork, formulated the concept of Batesian mimicry, where a harmless species mimics the appearance of a toxic or harmful species, thus gaining protection from predators.
Fritz Müller	Für Darwin	Müller expanded on mimicry, proposing the idea of Müllerian mimicry, where two or more harmful species evolve to resemble each other, collectively reinforcing a warning signal to potential predators.
Homai Vyarawalla	Through the Lens of Her Camera	Vyarawalla’s photographic works showcase mimicry in a cultural context, capturing moments of societal transformation and how individuals mimic or challenge prevailing cultural norms through visual storytelling.
Edward B. Tylor	Primitive Culture	Tylor contributed to the study of cultural mimicry, exploring how societies imitate and borrow cultural elements from each other, leading to the evolution and diffusion of customs and practices.
Judith Butler	Gender Trouble	Butler introduced the concept of gender performativity, arguing that gender identity is constructed through repeated acts that mimic societal norms, challenging the idea of fixed and binary gender categories.
Jean Baudrillard	Simulacra and Simulation	Baudrillard delved into technological mimicry, discussing how the simulation of reality through media and technology leads to a hyperreality, where copies become detached from any original referent.
Homai Vyarawalla	Through the Lens of Her Camera	Vyarawalla’s photographic works showcase mimicry in a cultural context, capturing moments of societal transformation and how individuals mimic or challenge prevailing cultural norms through visual storytelling.

Mimicry: Major Characteristics

1. Intertextuality:
   • Example: In T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Waste Land,” the numerous references to mythology, literature, and religious texts create a complex web of intertextuality, where the text mimics and engages with a diverse range of cultural and literary sources.
2. Parody and Satire:
   • Example: “Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes is a classic example of literary parody, mimicking the chivalric romance genre to satirize the romantic ideals of its time.
3. Allusion:
   • Example: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” is rich in allusions, with characters and events mirroring those from classical mythology, showcasing the author’s use of mimicry to add depth and meaning to the narrative.
4. Style Imitation:
   • Example: In Virginia Woolf’s “Orlando,” the author mimics different literary styles across different historical periods as the protagonist lives through centuries, demonstrating a playful imitation of diverse writing conventions.
5. Metafiction:
   • Example: In Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children,” the narrator Saleem Sinai not only recounts his own story but also comments on the act of storytelling itself, engaging in a form of mimicry that blurs the lines between fiction and reality.
6. Character Mimicry:
   • Example: In Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” the character Rosalind engages in gender mimicry by disguising herself as a boy, adding layers of complexity to the play’s exploration of love and identity.
7. Genre Subversion:
   • Example: Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22” satirizes war and bureaucracy, employing mimicry to subvert the conventions of the war novel genre, creating a unique and critical commentary on the absurdities of war.
8. Literary Homage:
   • Example: In Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” the author pays homage to Faulkner’s narrative style, employing stream-of-consciousness and nonlinear storytelling in a mimetic fashion.
9. Cultural Mimicry:
   • Example: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Half of a Yellow Sun” mimics historical events during the Nigerian Civil War, offering a fictionalized account that reflects and comments on the cultural and political realities of the time.
10. Narrative Imitation:
    • Example: Jean-Paul Sartre’s “Nausea” mimics a philosophical journal, blending fiction and existential philosophy as the protagonist engages in self-reflection and grapples with the absurdity of existence.

In literature, mimicking serves as a versatile tool, allowing authors to engage with and comment on existing literary traditions, societal norms, and cultural contexts.

Mimicry: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Mimicry
Postcolonial Theory	In postcolonial literature, mimiking is highly relevant as it explores how colonized cultures imitate or resist the dominant colonial power. Homi Bhabha’s concept of mimicry is particularly crucial, emphasizing how colonized subjects mimic the colonizer’s culture while introducing subversive elements.
Intertextuality	Mimicry plays a significant role in intertextuality, where authors engage with and mimic other texts. It facilitates a dialogue between different works, genres, or cultural references, enriching the meaning of a text through the interplay of various literary and cultural influences.
Metafiction	Metafiction often involves mimicking of literary conventions and storytelling techniques. Authors may consciously imitate or parody established genres, styles, or narrative structures, creating a self-aware narrative that comments on the act of storytelling itself.
Gender and Feminist Theory	In the context of gender studies, mimicry is relevant in examining how societal expectations shape gender roles. Judith Butler’s notion of gender performativity highlights how individuals mimic culturally prescribed gender behaviors, revealing the constructed nature of gender identity. Mimicry becomes a tool for challenging or reinforcing established gender norms in literature.
Deconstructionism	Deconstructionist literary theory emphasizes the instability and multiplicity of meaning in texts. Mimicry contributes to this by revealing how texts mimic and subvert established norms and meanings. It encourages readers to question and deconstruct the conventional understanding of language and literary representation.
Cultural Studies	In cultural studies, mimicry is relevant for examining how literature reflects and influences cultural practices. It helps explore the ways in which authors mimic or challenge cultural norms, traditions, and societal expectations, contributing to a deeper understanding of the cultural contexts within literary works.
Postmodernism	Postmodern literature often employs mimicking as a means of subverting traditional narratives and questioning established norms. Authors may mimic or parody various styles, genres, or cultural phenomena, challenging the notion of a singular, authoritative narrative and embracing a fragmented, diverse approach to storytelling.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Mimiking can be analyzed through a psychoanalytic lens, particularly in exploring characters’ behaviors and identities. It may reveal subconscious desires or the influence of societal expectations on individual psyche. The act of mimicking in literature can be seen as a manifestation of psychological processes, shedding light on the complexities of human behavior and identity construction.

Mimicry: Application in Critiques

1. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad:

Application of Mimicry: Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is often critiqued through the lens of postcolonial theory, particularly Homi Bhabha’s concept of mimicking. The novella explores the mimicry of European colonizers in Africa, as they adopt superficial aspects of the native culture while maintaining a position of power and superiority. The critique highlights how the act of mimicking serves as a mechanism for the colonizers to assert control and perpetuate imperial dominance.

• Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys:

Application of Mimicry: In the context of postcolonial and feminist theories, Rhys’s novel is analyzed for its portrayal in the character of Antoinette. The protagonist, a Creole woman in Jamaica, engages in mimicking to conform to European standards of beauty and behavior, illustrating the impact of colonialism on identity. Critics explore how mimicking becomes a tool of survival and resistance, shedding light on the complexities of cultural assimilation and resistance.

• The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien:

Application of Mimicry: In this work, it can be explored through a postmodern lens, examining how O’Brien mimics the conventions of war literature to deconstruct traditional notions of truth and reality. The author blurs the line between fact and fiction, mimicking the uncertainties and complexities of war experiences. Critics may discuss how the narrative serves as a commentary on the subjective nature of storytelling and the unreliability of memory.

Mimicry: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Intertextuality	Interweaving and referencing texts for layered meaning.
Deconstructionism	Challenges traditional notions, emphasizing text instability.
Postcolonialism	Examines cultural impacts of colonization on literature.
Feminist Theory	Analyzes gender roles, power dynamics, and stereotypes in literature.
Postmodernism	Embraces ambiguity, challenges traditional structures.
Metafiction	Self-reflective literature blurring reality and narrative.
Cultural Studies	Explores literature’s reflection and shaping of cultural practices.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Analyzes psychological motivations in characters and narratives.
Structuralism	Views literature as a system of signs and symbols with underlying structures.
Reader-Response Theory	Focuses on reader interpretation and response to a text.

Mimicry: Suggested Readings

1. Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. Half of a Yellow Sun. Knopf, 2006.
2. Reginald Crundall Punnett. Mimicry in Butterflies. Oxford University Press, 1861.
3. Baudrillard, Jean. Simulacra and Simulation. University of Michigan Press, 1994.
4. Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. Routledge, 1990.
5. Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. Penguin Books, 1994.
6. Darwin, Charles. On the Origin of Species. Harvard University Press, 1859.
7. Rhys, Jean. Wide Sargasso Sea. W. W. Norton & Company, 1966.
8. Tylor, Edward B. Primitive Culture. Dover Publications, 2017.
9. Woolf, Virginia. Orlando. Harcourt, Inc., 1928.