The antechamber with folding-doors lent itself admirably to the purposes of a stage, and the whole of the establishment, with the addition of Jarrett the village carpenter, was absorbed in the preparations for an entertainment which, considering that it was an imitation of acting, was likely to be successful, since we know from ancient fable that an imitation may have more chance of success than the original.
—George Eliot, Daniel Deronda
I'm always on the lookout for mimesis, so this passage intrigues me. Does anyone know what ancient fable she is referring to? Is it Pygmalion and Galatea? I'm starting to think I should lay my hands on a critical edition of this book.
