Approaches to the Problem of Literary Authenticity. A Historical Outline (I)

Abstract

Starting from the ancient concept of mimesis to the view on authenticity of realist writers, this article aims to follow the evolution of approaches to the problem of authenticity within the framework of literary history. We will delimit the character of authenticity of literatures of different periods by means of literary theory texts, but also by referencing some of the most known and/or suggestive works of literature. We will emphasize the differences and similarities between the conceptions, phenomena, literary currents that refer to authenticity, trying to motivate their evolution. The subjects to which we will particularly draw attention refer to the relationship between fiction and authenticity; literary authenticity expressed within literary phenomena; and the influence of philosophical conceptions of authenticity on literature, starting from ancient literary texts until the modernist movement in literature.

Keywords

• authenticity
• mimesis
• veridicity
• fiction
• identity
• intuition
• absurd
• existentialism
• new sincerity
• post-truth