“ A. S. Byatt ’ s Self-mirroring Art ” By Julian Gitzen Critique 36.2 (Winter 1995): Presented by Carol Chi Based on the online journal article Based on the online journal article

The Key Concept of Byatt ’ s Self- mirroring Art Byatt creates the connection and the gap “ between words and their referents and between art and its subject. ” (Gitzen 1-2) Byatt creates the connection and the gap “ between words and their referents and between art and its subject. ” (Gitzen 1-2) This distinction is much emphasized on the narrative or action in her novels. (Gitzen 2) This distinction is much emphasized on the narrative or action in her novels. (Gitzen 2) Byatt changes the traditional concept that art ” holds the mirror up to the nature ” and presents “ how reality may imitate art. ” (Gitzen 2) Byatt changes the traditional concept that art ” holds the mirror up to the nature ” and presents “ how reality may imitate art. ” (Gitzen 2)

The Characteristic of Byatt ’ s Self- mirroring Art Major characters are scholars or artists. (Gitzen 2) Major characters are scholars or artists. (Gitzen 2) * Shadow of A Sun (1964) * Shadow of A Sun (1964) * The Game (1967) * The Game (1967) * The Virgin in the Garden (1978) * The Virgin in the Garden (1978) * Still Life (1985) * Still Life (1985) * Possession (1990) * Possession (1990)

The Virgin in the Garden The protagonist, Alexander Wedderburn, perceives and takes part in the activities which mirrors his art. (Gitzen 3) The protagonist, Alexander Wedderburn, perceives and takes part in the activities which mirrors his art. (Gitzen 3) Alexander Frederica (an embodiment of his creation in his play) Alexander Frederica (an embodiment of his creation in his play) He finally determines to flee from his own art represented by Frederica. He finally determines to flee from his own art represented by Frederica.

Still Life This novel is the sequel to The Virgin in the Garden. This novel is the sequel to The Virgin in the Garden. Byatt essentially deals with the subjects of painting and metaphors. Byatt essentially deals with the subjects of painting and metaphors. Painting~ This novel remains her mirror- stage structure, for while she describes how Van Gogh observes his environment, she also views the fictional characters in terms of a painter. (Gitzen 3) Painting~ This novel remains her mirror- stage structure, for while she describes how Van Gogh observes his environment, she also views the fictional characters in terms of a painter. (Gitzen 3)

# Alexander is working on a play named “ The Yellow Chair, ” about Van Gogh ’ s final years. (Gitzen 3) # Alexander is working on a play named “ The Yellow Chair, ” about Van Gogh ’ s final years. (Gitzen 3) # Byatt details the beach in France, Les Saintes-Maries, where Van Gogh painted boats in (Gitzen 4) # Byatt details the beach in France, Les Saintes-Maries, where Van Gogh painted boats in (Gitzen 4) Metaphor~ For Byatt, metaphors shows qualities of “ imaginative vehicle of implied or explicit comparisons, ” “ an essential function of the human mind, ” and “ the potential to inspire or sharpen the writer ’ s art. ” (Gitzen 4-5) Metaphor~ For Byatt, metaphors shows qualities of “ imaginative vehicle of implied or explicit comparisons, ” “ an essential function of the human mind, ” and “ the potential to inspire or sharpen the writer ’ s art. ” (Gitzen 4-5)

Possession Possession demonstrates her knowledge in medieval legends and Victorian literature. (Gitzen 5) Possession demonstrates her knowledge in medieval legends and Victorian literature. (Gitzen 5) LaMotte ’ s preference for solitude is similar to Melusina in her work, “ The Fairy Melusina. ” (Gitzen 5) LaMotte ’ s preference for solitude is similar to Melusina in her work, “ The Fairy Melusina. ” (Gitzen 5) The mirror image: The mirror image: A. Maud ’ s physical appearance resembles LaMotte and Melusina. (Gitzen 6) A. Maud ’ s physical appearance resembles LaMotte and Melusina. (Gitzen 6)

B. Maud likes solitude as LaMotte and Melusina. (Gitzen 6) C. Ash LaMotte Roalnd Maud Ellen Blanche Val Leonora Ellen Blanche Val Leonora Medieval myth: Medieval myth: * Eden ’ s allusions (Gitzen 7) * Eden ’ s allusions (Gitzen 7) ~ The private meeting between Ash and LaMotte ~ The private meeting between Ash and LaMotte ~ Roland enters Mrs. Irving ’ s garden ~ Roland enters Mrs. Irving ’ s garden

Byatt ’ s Admiration for Literary Figures She admires T. S. Eliot, so her characters often cite The Four Quartets and her works are filled with “ literary allusions ” and “ mythic parallels. ” (Gitzen 7) She admires T. S. Eliot, so her characters often cite The Four Quartets and her works are filled with “ literary allusions ” and “ mythic parallels. ” (Gitzen 7) She is also familiar with Donne, Shakespeare, Marvell, Milton, Wordsworth, Coleridge, George Eliot and D. H. Lawrence. (Gitzen 7) She is also familiar with Donne, Shakespeare, Marvell, Milton, Wordsworth, Coleridge, George Eliot and D. H. Lawrence. (Gitzen 7)