In this study, the author argues that human culture derives from human biology and that literary representation therefore must have a biological basis. As he ponders the question ""What does it mean to say that art imitates life?"" he must consider both ""What is life?"" and ""What is art?"". Part 1 addresses issues of human biology, psyche and language; Part 2 applies the model sketched out in Part 1 to various narratives: tragedy, comedy and the novel.