Mimesis" means "to imitate." Forms of imitation are diverse and include imitation, the presentation of the self, representation, resemblance, and mimicry. Mimesis, in psychology, illustrates a stage in human development that infers a child's ability to learn, socialize, and adapt. Mimesis is a philosophical and critical idea that numerous thinkers across history, culture, and location upon which many thinkers have theorized. Erich Auerbach is one such thinker that ponders the significance and explains the function of mimesis as part of the human condition and the human conception of reality. Auerbach endeavors to provide for the reader a comprehensive understanding as to why and what representations of reality are in western literature. Auerbach's writing style is interesting in that he demonstrates awareness of the reader as a reader of his work, as a writer...

It is a complex perspective to maintain, yet Auerbach achieves this simultaneity indirectly, perhaps as an afterthought. This paper will briefly reflect upon Auerbach's chief points and themes as well as offer reflections and reactions upon the text and its implications in areas of society such as behavior, media, education, and technology.
Auerbach begins with elucidation of epic poetry, specifically, Odyssey by Homer. He communicates the power and the depth of this epic poem. He describes the quality of the writing and thus, the quality of the representation of reality or mimesis:

"…the pulse of the Homeric style: to represent phenomena in a fully externalized form, visible and palpable in all their parts, and completely fixed in…