Fictional Names Masquerading as Literary-Historical Monikers: Onomastic Simulacra in A. S. Byatt’s Possession

Abstract

Jean Baudrillard’s theory on the nature of simulation proposes that a shift from reality to representation progresses until the artificial surpasses the authentic. Phase three simulation occurs when distinctions between re­presentation and reality virtually disappear. In Possession, A. S. Byatt erodes boundaries between fictional representation and literary-historical reality to the extent that stage three simulation is achieved in her novel. Most strikingly, this phenomenon occurs through onomastic imitations as the created names of her fictional poets and faux scholars appear as real to the reader as the actual names of literary-historical personages.

Two Short “As” and a Rolling “R”

“…Meanwhile, the field of Onomastics, it seems, is a wellestablished one, with its own journals such as Names: A Journal of Onomastics, which publishes articles on a wide range of name-related topics, from nicknames in prison (Black, Wilcox, & Platt, 2014) to fictional names masquerading as Literary-Historical Monikers (Dodge Robbins, 2014). And yes, it even publishes articles about the graduation ceremony phenomenon, and the important role of names at these events, with a particular reference to cultural difference (Pennesi, 2014).…”