Definition

Mimetic theory, originating from the Greek scholar Aristotle, holds that literature imitates or represents the experiences of the author from the community. The Greek word mimesis means "copy" or "imitation." Writers do not create in isolation; they draw from their surroundings, observations, and social experiences.

How Imitation Contributes to Literary Elements

• Plot: The sequence of events often mirrors real-life situations. In the story "Never say never" about Kulwa, the plot imitates the actual struggles of entrepreneurs in Morogoro—working hard, facing setbacks, and eventually succeeding.
• Characters: Characters are often based on real people or types found in society. Kulwa's teacher who encourages him represents the transformative power of supportive educators in Tanzanian communities.
• Conflict: The struggles characters face (poverty, social stigma, academic failure) imitate genuine challenges faced by many Tanzanian families.
• Setting: The Dumila village setting in Morogoro reflects real rural-urban contexts where many Tanzanians grow up.
• Resolution: The happy ending (Kulwa becoming successful) imitates the aspirations and hopes of communities where education and perseverance lead to upward mobility.

Definition

The word "myth" comes from the Greek mythos, meaning "story." A myth is a traditional story that explains the early history of people, the origin of something, or the reasons for certain cultural beliefs and practices. Mythical elements include supernatural beings, creation stories, archetypal characters, and symbolic motifs.

How Mythical Elements Contribute to Literary Elements

• Plot: Myths often follow patterns like the hero's journey, creation, or cosmic battles. The baobab story follows a complaint-supernatural consequence-redemption pattern common in myths worldwide.
• Characters: Mythical characters include archetypal figures—the hero, the wise elder, the trickster. In the baobab myth, the tree personifies human emotions (envy, discontent), while the Creator represents divine authority.
• Setting: Mythical settings often include symbolic locations—the primordial lake, the cosmic tree. The baobab's growth near the lake establishes a mythical, pre-historical setting.
• Conflict: Myths frequently present conflicts between order and chaos, tradition and change, or human desires and divine will. The baobab's conflict with its own appearance mirrors humanity's struggle with self-acceptance.
• Resolution: Mythical resolutions often carry moral or philosophical lessons. The baobab being replanted upside down and becoming the "Tree of Life" provides a didactic message about acceptance and usefulness.
• Themes: Myths explore universal themes—origin of the world, human mortality, the relationship between humans and nature, and the consequences of disobedience.

Definition

Ritual theory connects literature, particularly drama, to ceremonial practices. In Greek history, drama originated from rituals honoring Dionysus (god of wine and fertility). Rituals are formal, repetitive actions with symbolic meaning, often marking transitions, celebrations, or communal events.

How Ritual Elements Contribute to Literary Elements

The excerpt from Things Fall Apart demonstrates how ritual elements enrich the narrative:

• Plot: The uri ceremony (where the suitor presents palm-oil to the bride's family) advances the plot by showing social relationships and expectations.
• Characters: Characters are defined by their ritual roles—the suitor (provider), the bride's mother (host/celebrant), and the bride (center of transition). Each character's actions are shaped by cultural expectations.
• Setting: The celebration at Obierika's compound transforms from a festive space to a chaotic one when the cow escapes, showing how rituals can be interrupted by real-world events.
• Conflict: The communal effort to round up the cow and the discussion about village medicine create tension and reveal social dynamics.
• Resolution: The ritual provides closure to one social event while setting up future developments in the narrative.
• Themes: Rituals explore themes of community, tradition, gender roles, hospitality, and the intersection of the sacred and everyday.

Using the three theories, let us examine how imitation, ritual, and mythical elements contribute to Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart:

Imitation (Mimetic) Elements

• Plot: The novel imitates the cyclical nature of Igbo life—planting, harvesting, celebrations, and conflicts.
• Characters: Okonkwo represents the tragic hero whose tragic flaw (fear of weakness) imitates societal expectations of masculinity.
• Setting: The fictional Umuofia reflects real Igbo villages in pre-colonial Nigeria.
• Conflict: The clash between tradition and colonialism mirrors actual historical encounters.
• Resolution: Okonkwo's tragic end imitates the fate of many who could not adapt to changing times.

Ritual Elements

• The Week of Peace: This ritual demonstrates how Igbo society maintains cosmic order through sacred prohibitions.
• The Uri Ceremony: As seen in the excerpt, it defines social obligations and gender expectations.
• Funeral Rites: The treatment of Ikemefuna's death and later Okonkwo's own burial reveal cultural values.
• The New Yam Festival: Celebrates harvest and community gratitude.

Mythical Elements

• The Oracle: Represents the community's connection to divine authority.
• Chi (Personal Spirit): Explains individual destiny within the cosmology.
• The Tortoise Story: Provides moral lessons through archetypal characters.
• The Earth Goddess (Ani): Embodies the moral order of the universe.

Understanding imitation, ritual, and mythical elements helps readers:

1. Connect literature to life: Recognize how texts reflect real experiences and cultural practices
2. Appreciate cultural depth: Understand the symbolic significance of actions and events
3. Analyze themes effectively: Identify underlying messages about society, humanity, and existence
4. Interpret symbolism: Decode the deeper meanings behind characters, settings, and plot developments
5. Evaluate author's purpose: Understand why writers choose particular techniques to convey meaning

In everyday Tanzanian life, these literary concepts appear in community events like weddings, funerals, and religious ceremonies—where stories are told, roles are performed, and traditions are reenacted. For instance, when a family in Dar es Salaam organizes a posho or birthday celebration, they follow ritual patterns (invitations, special foods, blessings), repeat familiar stories from family history (imitation of lived experience), and may invoke cultural myths or proverbs about family and prosperity. Recognizing these elements helps students appreciate why certain narratives in Tanzanian novels or plays feel familiar and meaningful to their own cultural experiences.