Mimesis, Desire, and the Novel: René Girard and Literary Criticism ed. by Pierpaolo Antonello, and Heather Webb (review)

In light of René Girard’s passing in 2015, the year which marked the fiftieth anniversary of his influential work, Deceit, Desire, and the Novel, it is certainly useful to reflect on his significant contributions to literary criticism. Girard is best known for his theory of mimetic desire, which claims that desire is not original but imitative, based upon models. By analyzing the works of Cervantes, Stendhal, Flaubert, Dostoyevsky, and Proust, Girard demonstrates in Deceit, Desire, and the Novel that literature reveals how our desires are not linear but triangular (subject-model-object), often leading to intense rivalry. In Mimesis, Desire, and the Novel we are given the opportunity to discuss the merits of Girardian theory, and also see the application of the theory to specific texts. The result is an essay collection that is nuanced enough for seasoned Girardians, and at the same time, pleasantly straightforward for scholars who are not as familiar with his work.

The discussion of Girard’s theory in Part I is effective, providing both a compendious explanation and thoughtful examination for the reader. Not only do the critics ably analyze the nature of mimetic desire, they also develop other well-known Girardian subjects, namely the origins of violence, scapegoating, and sacrifice. Thus, the forum moves beyond the humanities and into the social sciences. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the discussion is the analysis of Girard’s unique Christianity, which made him unpopular with academics and theologians alike. The authors correctly underscore how Girard’s approach to Christianity is more anthropological than theological, as evidenced by his interpretation of the Bible. Karen S. Feldman’s essay on sacrifice and scapegoating through a Girardian lens is exceptional, as she skillfully streamlines a complex subject, Girard’s non-sacrificial interpretation of Christ’s death, into a readable analysis. Furthermore, it is refreshing that this section is neither a glowing endorsement of Girardian theory, nor is it an ideologically-driven criticism of his work. The concise essays in Part I, coupled with deft insight and legitimate criticism, make the analyses appealing to scholars in a broad range of disciplines.

The application of Girardian theory to various works in Part II successfully highlights how mimetic theory is transhistorical, as the readings cover literature from the medieval period through the postmodern era. Drawing heavily from Deceit, Desire, and the Novel, the authors analyze various types of triangular desire in works ranging from Dante to Dickens to Dostoyevsky. In addition, the inclusion of contemporary writers is stimulating, as it reinforces the applicability of Girardian theory to the modern novel. In particular, the essays on novels by Pamuk and Franzen are tailor-made for the literature professor interested in germane topics such as multiculturalism, religious fundamentalism, and gender identity. Such essays serve as an indispensable tool for classes introducing Girard to advanced undergraduate or graduate students, where one not only becomes familiar with theory, but also sees the theory specifically applied to a text. Thus, the majority of the essays are as illuminating as they are pedagogically useful.

Fittingly, the collection concludes with an essay by Girard from 1998, in which he discusses the inextricable nature of his theory and his faith: “Great literature led me to Christianity” (281). He expertly critiques the fashionable “post” patois that has dominated literature departments for the past few decades, and convincingly answers why we are still dissatisfied after we get what we want: “[w]e are totally disenchanted and cannot find any new model. This is the worst kind of frustration, the one that experts call post-modern and post-Christian, perhaps even post-mimetic desire” (282). Thus, the organization of the collection is manageable, as the reader can enjoy the text as one unit, or choose to selectively use the book as a reference guide.

Notwithstanding the positive aspects of the book, it does come with flaws. Some of the essays that apply Girardian theory spend too...