Mimesis and the human animal
Subtitle: on the biogenetic foundations of literary representation
By: Robert Storey.
Series: Rethinking theory
Publisher: Northwestern University Press
Published: 1996
Place of publication: Evanston, Ill
Language: eng; ger
Number of pages: 274
Subjects: Mimesis in literature.; Literature and science.
Description: In Mimesis and the Human Animal, Robert Storey argues that human culture derives from human biology and that literary representation therefore must have a biological basis. As he ponders the question "What does it mean to say that art imitates life?" he must consider both "What is life?" and "What is art?" Part 1 addresses issues of human biology, psyche, and language; Part 2 applies the model sketched out in Part 1 to various narratives: tragedy, comedy, and the novel.

A unique approach to the subject of mimesis, Storey's book goes beyond the politicizing of literature grounded in literary theory to develop a scientific basis for the creation of literature and art.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 237-260) and index.