mimesis
Meaning
the representation or imitation of the real world in art or literature.
the deliberate imitation of the behavior of one group of people by another as a factor in social change.
Structure
Usage
aristotle considered mimesis to be a basic human instinct and the foundation of all learning and art.
the novel's power lies in its stark mimesis of urban poverty and social alienation.
cultural mimesis can be observed when a subordinate group adopts the customs and manners of a dominant culture.
Etymology
the word 'mimesis' has a direct lineage from ancient greek, where 'mīmēsis' meant imitation or representation. it is derived from the verb 'mīmeisthai', to imitate, which itself comes from 'mimos', meaning mime or imitator. the greek suffix '-sis' was commonly used to form nouns of action or process. entering english primarily through scholarly and literary discourse, the term retained its core conceptual meaning of imitation, specifically elevating it to describe the fundamental artistic principle of representing reality. thus, the literal components of 'imitator' and 'process' combine to form the abstract notion of the act or result of artistic imitation.
Analysis
mime (from greek 'mimos', meaning imitator, mime); sis (from greek suffix '-sis', indicating action, process, or condition).