INTERTEXTUALITY

by Athulya Jose
Intertextuality is the relationship between texts in order to interpret and analyse
one of the texts with reference to others. It is the interconnection between
similar or related, specifically literary, texts that gives a wholesome meaning or
an advanced interpretation. It is the re-reading of a work in alliance with others
to add layers of meaning. It is not simply the echoing but the reconstruction of a
work in order to diversify and widen the understanding and knowledge of the
reader and to intensify their general perspective on a specific subject.
The term ‘intertextuality’ was coined by, the Bulgarian-French philosopher and
psychoanalyst, Julia Kristeva in 1967. It comes from the French word
‘intertextualite’, based on the Latin word ‘intertexto’, a verb related to weaving.
Just like weaving connects threads of materials to create a new cloth or a
design, intertextuality weaves one narrative of literature with another to develop
a distinguished meaning of the already existing understanding. It provides a new
vigour to the thoughts and analysis of a certain texts. It also brings together
texts from various genres under same roof to bring out either the similarity of
the works or the contradictions held between them. That is, one single text act
as a backbone in which the latter are attached to come up with a new-fangled
interpretation. For example,
1) The major plotline of Disney’s “The Lion King” is a taken from William
Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”.
2) The structure of James Joyce’s “Ulysses” is modelled upon Homer’s
“Odyssey”.
Intertextuality between texts is the relationship inflected by quotes and
allusions. Intertextual figures consist of allusion, quotation, plagiarism,
translation, pastiche and parody. Using these figures, the approach is done two
dimensionally, horizontal and vertical. Horizontal dimensions are based on
relations that are between primary texts that are more or less explicitly linked
while vertical dimensions are based on relation between a primary text and
other texts of different genre referred as secondary or tertiary texts.
Based on the dimensions, intertextuality is sub classified into eight types;
revision, translation, quotation, varied sources, conventions and configurations,
genre, paralogues and original intertext. Revision type is amending a text to
upgrade it or fit more specifically with the author’s visions of the text.
Translation is changing a text from one language to another without changing
its actual meaning. Quotation type is inserting a specific part of the reference
text into the text being studied. Varied sources type refers to the relationship
between texts in plot, characters and other ways. This can be intended or
unintended. Conventions and configurations type means the major text follows
conventions and structures of certain other types of genre fiction, i.e., fairy
tales. Genre type refer to taking keys and guidance from other texts within the
same genre. Paralogue type refers to the texts that critique, analyse or record the
references being made within the text being studied. Original intertext is an
author who creates their own texts to refer within the base of the text.
Intertextuality has its own pros and cons. The advantages are that it acts as a
link between two basics, contradicting and complementing elements. It gives
the readers a chance to read any text in a greater depth and on different levels. It
provides the learner a control and allows them to navigate and manipulate
content on sites. It also opens multiple windows to analyse and derive meaning
from a single text. It is about develops varied channels of knowledge primarily
based on a single stem and thus creating, contradicting and complementing each
other in singular or multiple ways.
The disadvantages of an intertextual approach to literature are that it is essential
for the reader to have a specialized knowledge. It neglects the truth that a single
word or phrase can mean a lot to a reader whether or not it has already been
used by another writer. Another biggest demerit is its infiniteness. It can relate a
text to infinite things and manipulate basic text according to their readings.
Counting the merits and demerits does not nullify its significance of analysing a
text. When a writer and a reader develop a similar understanding of the text, it
paves way for the author to communicate to the reader on the basis of the
original text. It is vital because it is another form of communication between the
author and the reader. Intertextuality, thus, is a notable stage in understanding a
literary piece to see how other works have influenced the author and how
distinguished genres become tools in the work to convey fresh and organic
meanings.

WORKS CITED
1) Abrams, M.H., and Geoffrey Galt Harpham. A Glossary of Literary
Terms. 10th ed. Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012.
2) https://literariness.org/2016/03/22/julia-kristeva-intertextuality/
3) https://literaryterms.net/intertextuality/