The concept that concludes art is a copy of reality and a literary piece is an impersonation, imitation, and replication of nature may it be of human, reality, of the worldly or another, is known as Mimesis or Mimetic Critical theory which originated from the Greeks.
Although this theory was not created by Plato, the philosopher himself had an interpretation and understanding of this concept which was further explained by stating art such as visual, performance, music, and literature, are copies of a copy of reality. This reality pertains to the ideas perceived through the writer’s objective and perspective about the appearances of their own truth in the form of their own creativity.
He concluded that if the writer is restricted to imitate the realm of appearances, they are making more copies of copies of realities, and their creation is therefore twice removed from reality.
The philosopher’s student, Aristotle who was also a renowned philosopher, considered mimesis as a mixture of imitation of reality and an artist or writer’s creativity. He further explained reality is mimicked through the form or idea of nature and consequently reshaped into art, therefore, art is an extension of nature and reality.
THIS CRITICAL READING argues that Derek Walcott’s poem, “Love After Love,” indicates the importance of self-love to a person’s life.
The time will come 1
when, with elation 2
you will greet yourself arriving 3
at your own door, in your own mirror 4
and each will smile at the other’s welcome, 5
and say, sit here. Eat. 6
You will love again the stranger who was yourself. 7
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart 8
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you 9
all your life, whom you ignored 10
for another, who knows you by heart. 11
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf, 12
the photographs, the desperate notes, 13
peel your own image from the mirror. 14
Sit. Feast on your life. 15
This argument is supported by the Mimesis or Mimetic Critical theory (Aristotle) which considers a TEXT or POEM as a product of a writer’s imitation of one or any of the three agendas: things as they were or are, things as they are said or thought to be, or things as they ought to be.
In mimetic metaphor, “time,” in line 1 represents the person’s search and the long wait for joy as expressed in line 2 with the use of the synonymous word “elation”. The repetition of the future tense, “will,” indicates that the person is imitating the things they ought to be (Aristotle) with regards to line 3 which symbolizes acceptance. “You will greet yourself arriving” is a metaphor of embracing and accepting one’s self as expressed in lines 3 & 4 as “door” symbolizes the person’s self and “mirror” symbolizes the person’s own reflection.
Line 5 “and each will smile at the other’s welcome,” is coming into terms with the person’s reflection: image and appearance being welcomed.
Line 6 signifies “catching up” with the version of the person’s self-referred in line 7 as “stranger” which is a metaphor for the person’s detachment of his/her own identity. “You will love again the stranger who was yourself” in line 7 indicates unconditional self-love to all the flaws, characteristics, traits, and forgotten desires the person has.
Line 8 refers to taking good care of one’s self as supported in “wine” which is a metaphor that relates to thirst & celebration and “bread” which is a metaphor that relates to hunger and nourishment.
Lines 9 & 10 indicate the person’s detachment from himself/herself for the sake of lovers, other people, and other things, and line 11 indicates how the person knows himself/herself well.
Lines 12, 13 & 14 is the person’s message to himself/herself about moving forward, not to hold on too much to memories as supported in the verses and the mention of “love letters, photographs, and desperate notes”.“Peel your own image from the mirror” indicates focusing on the person’s inner self and identity and not just looking at the exterior or on the surface level which is the appearance he/she sees in the reflection.
Line 15 refers to the patience and fulfillment in life – that life must be celebrated, enjoyed, and lived. “Sit” indicates rest, patience, and taking time in celebrating life as supported in the words “feast on your life.”
Thus, Walcott’s “Love After Love” signifies the reality of a person’s reflection about self-acceptance and about living life.
