A Comparison Of Mimetic Theory In A Mercy And The Nickel Boys

Characters from novels often portray real-life situations, events, and reactions which creates a sense of relatability for the reader. Theorists believe that Mimetic Theory is “a way to analyze and evaluate work as an imitation, reflection, or representation of the world and human life” and they believe truth can be revealed by examining human instincts, natural responses, psychological make-up, and society as a whole” (Davidson). Mimetic Theory can be applied to both A Mercy by Toni Morrison and The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead to accurately portray societal struggles, psychological reactions, and human nature. The actions, reactions, events, and society within both novels are reflective of real life when Mimetic Theory is applied.
The

Society is reflected in the text of The Nickel Boys due to it being normalized to discriminate against African Americans during the 1960s. According to Morgan J. Kousser “segregation laws often replaced customary or legal exclusion of African Americans from any services at all” (Kousser Morgan J.) This proves how society would discriminate against African Americans by excluding them from purchasing or being involved in services. “They knew the drugstore didn’t serve colored patrons” (Whitehead 124). This proves how African Americans were discriminated against by society due to them not being allowed purchase from

The boys who went to Nickel Academy were sexually abused by staff members and the boys would be severely traumatized as a reaction. According to Maya Salam “former students, many of whom were black, have reported suffering physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and forced labor at the hands of the school's staff.” (Salam, Maya). This indicates that boys in the Dozier Florida Reform School for Boys were sexually abused which is directly similar to the sexual abuse boys at Nickel Academy would experience. “He preferred to take his prey to the basement of the white schoolhouse […] After that last trip to Lovers’ Lane, Clayton was done” (Whitehead 148). This demonstrates that the school staff at Nickel Academy would sexually abuse the students which would cause severe trauma for the