The passage from Jonathan Lethem's "Ecstasy of Influence: A Plagiarism" that I chose to focus on is "invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist of creating out of void but out of chaos." (Lethem 214). This passage originates from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, a novel initially published in 1818. Having already read this novel, it was easy for me to identify and fully understand the context which this passage is used. However, I took it upon myself to refresh this previous knowledge and type it into google search. By doing so, I was given the full paragraph in which this section is included. Shelley uses this passage within her explanation of the way invention can only derive from objects previously made, that "it can give form to dark, shapeless substances, but it cannot bring into being the substance itself." Lethem recycles this concept in his explanation of 'contamination anxiety.' Lethem describes to his readers that true artistry does not emerge solely from originality, but also the acceptance of the opinions of others. Lethem tells that in order for an artist to truly recognize his or her own individuality, he or she must be open to the "adopting and embracing of filiations, communities, and discourses" (Lethem 214).
While Shelley and Lethem describe two different concepts, Lethem is able to use Shelley's words in order to clarify his own original ideas. Through borrowing her words, he enforces Shelley's original concept that true innovation is created through the use of already created subjects and objects. Lethem was able to arrive at his own conclusion with the assistance of Shelley's statements. This transformation teaches me that the use of previous ideas is necessary, must be viewed not as stealing, but as building blocks to the creation of even more insightful concepts.
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