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The Development of Mimetic Desire towards Latent Conflict in the Work of Katherine Mansfield
Nováčková, Zuzana ; Wallace, Clare (advisor) ; Nováková, Soňa (referee)
Thesis abstract Using Aristotelian notion of imitative behaviour and René Girard's theory of mimetic desire, several stories by Katherine Mansfield are analysed in order to demonstrate the development of mimetic desire together with its implications. The analysis follows the negative aspects of mimesis: the problems it causes in relationships, as well as the positive aspects including the self-knowledge. Since Mansfield's stories do not correspond fully to Girard's theory, the analysis explores a specific way of dealing with mimetic desire: keeping the conflict latent. At first, the stories about childhood offer an insight into Aristotelian concept of mimesis - imitative behaviour being a natural and pleasing human activity that is best observed in children's plays. The stories show how children choose their models, how they comprehend the world that surrounds them, especially the interpersonal and social codes, and how important is imagination in their mimetic activities. The analysis proceeds from natural imitation to the origins of mimetic desire, focusing on two modes of mediation and on the process of realization of one's own self-authenticity. The search for self-authenticity is possible due to external or internal mediation of desire. The transition from one type to the other is explained by the...
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The Development of Mimetic Desire towards Latent Conflict in the Work of Katherine Mansfield
Nováčková, Zuzana ; Wallace, Clare (advisor) ; Nováková, Soňa (referee)
Thesis abstract Using Aristotelian notion of imitative behaviour and René Girard's theory of mimetic desire, several stories by Katherine Mansfield are analysed in order to demonstrate the development of mimetic desire together with its implications. The analysis follows the negative aspects of mimesis: the problems it causes in relationships, as well as the positive aspects including the self-knowledge. Since Mansfield's stories do not correspond fully to Girard's theory, the analysis explores a specific way of dealing with mimetic desire: keeping the conflict latent. At first, the stories about childhood offer an insight into Aristotelian concept of mimesis - imitative behaviour being a natural and pleasing human activity that is best observed in children's plays. The stories show how children choose their models, how they comprehend the world that surrounds them, especially the interpersonal and social codes, and how important is imagination in their mimetic activities. The analysis proceeds from natural imitation to the origins of mimetic desire, focusing on two modes of mediation and on the process of realization of one's own self-authenticity. The search for self-authenticity is possible due to external or internal mediation of desire. The transition from one type to the other is explained by the...
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