Laws of imitation and intermedia narrative – on imitation of word narrative by image narrative

Abstract

Abstract Image narrative was long regarded as imitation of a story already told in word narrative rather than as direct imitation of real life. In the connection between imitation and medium, there are the phenomena of the medium’s own position and “Anders-streben.” The former emphasizes the medium following its own nature, and the latter means not only following its own nature but transcending itself to pursue another aesthetic effect. “Inter” in intermedia narrative goes beyond the nature or strengths of an artistic work and its medium, resulting in a narrative form that showcases the characteristics of other literary works or media rather than giving full play to its own strengths. Of course, the so-called “laws of imitation” outlined by French sociologist Tarde must be followed: (i) imitation from within to without and (ii) imitation of the superior by the inferior. Whether in the former or the latter, word is a more advantageous medium, since it serves more easily as the model for images or other media to imitate in lyric expression or narrative activities. The laws of imitation are the underlying cause why image, as a spatial narrative medium, manages to achieve the corresponding temporal effect by imitating word narrative.