Intermediality: Etymology, Meanings and Concept
Etymology/Term:
The term “intermediality” finds its roots in the intersection of two key components: “inter-” derived from Latin, meaning “between” or “among,” and “mediality,” which stems from the notion of “media.” Coined within academic discourse, intermediality refers to the study and exploration of relationships between different media forms, emphasizing the interconnectedness and mutual influence of various media in contemporary culture.
Meanings and Concept:
| Meaning/Concept | Description |
| Interconnected Media Forms | Examines the dynamic connections and interactions between diverse forms of media such as literature, film, visual arts, music, and digital platforms. |
| Mutual Influence | Explores how one form of media can impact or shape another, leading to the emergence of hybrid or cross-disciplinary artistic expressions. |
| Transmediation | Focuses on the process of translating or adapting content across different media, exploring how narratives and experiences transform as they migrate from one medium to another. |
| Multimodality | Considers the use of multiple modes of expression within a single work or across different media, recognizing the integration of visual, auditory, and textual elements. |
| Cultural Hybridity | Investigates how intermediality reflects and contributes to the blending of cultural influences, resulting in new and hybrid cultural forms. |
| Media Convergence | Examines the merging of previously distinct media platforms and technologies, leading to new ways of content creation, distribution, and consumption. |
| Aesthetic Exploration | Focuses on the artistic and creative possibilities that arise from the combination and collaboration of different media, pushing boundaries in aesthetic expression. |
Intermediality, as a concept, thus encapsulates a rich tapestry of interdisciplinary exploration, emphasizing the symbiotic relationships between various forms of media and their collective impact on cultural and artistic landscapes.
Intermediality: Definition of a Theoretical Term
Intermediality is a theoretical term that denotes the study of interactions between different media forms, exploring their interconnectedness and mutual influence. It examines how various media, such as literature, film, visual arts, and digital platforms, intersect and shape one another. This concept highlights the dynamic relationships that contribute to the emergence of hybrid and cross-disciplinary artistic expressions in contemporary culture.
Intermediality: Theorists, Works and Argument
| Theorist | Key Works | Central Arguments |
| Jay David Bolter | Writing Space: The Computer, Hypertext, and the History of Writing | Argues for the transformative impact of digital technology on the nature of writing, exploring its implications for intermediality. |
| Marshall McLuhan | Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man | Propounds the idea that the medium itself influences human perception and culture, forming a foundational concept for intermedial studies. |
| Werner Wolf | Intermediality Revisited: Reflections on the Concept and its Applications | Explores and refines the concept of intermediality, emphasizing its relevance in analyzing contemporary cultural phenomena and artistic expressions. |
| Henry Jenkins | Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide | Discusses media convergence and its impact on contemporary culture, shedding light on the blending and integration of diverse media forms. |
| Marie-Laure Ryan | Narrative as Virtual Reality: Immersion and Interactivity in Literature and Electronic Media | Explores the convergence of narrative forms across media, discussing how immersive experiences contribute to intermedial storytelling. |
These theorists have made significant contributions to the field of intermediality, addressing key concepts such as the impact of technology, the influence of media on perception, and the convergence of narrative across different forms.
Intermediality: Major Characteristics
- Intertextuality: The intertwining of different media is exemplified in literature through works like “House of Leaves” by Mark Z. Danielewski, where the narrative is enhanced by the visual layout, creating a multisensory reading experience.
- Adaptation and Transmediation: The transformation of a narrative across various media is illustrated in the adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” from books to films, showcasing how the story evolves while maintaining its core elements.
- Multimodality: Novels like “S.” by Doug Dorst and J.J. Abrams incorporate handwritten notes, maps, and other visual elements alongside the text, expanding the narrative through multiple modes of expression.
- Media Convergence: The integration of different media platforms is demonstrated in the novel “Cloud Atlas” by David Mitchell, where the narrative spans various genres and time periods, resembling the interconnected structure of different media.
- Interdisciplinary Influences: Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children” seamlessly blends historical events with magical realism, showcasing how literature can draw on various disciplines to create a complex and layered narrative.
- Cultural Hybridity: In the work of Haruki Murakami, such as “Kafka on the Shore,” cultural influences, including Western literature and Japanese folklore, converge, exemplifying the creation of a culturally hybrid literary landscape.
- Reader Participation and Interaction: Interactive narratives like “Choose Your Own Adventure” books or digital works like “Inanimate Alice” engage readers actively, allowing them to shape the narrative, showcasing a form of intermedial storytelling.
Intermediality in literature manifests through these characteristics, where the boundaries between different media are blurred, and narratives become enriched through a fusion of textual, visual, and interactive elements.
Intermediality: Relevance in Literary Theories
| Literary Theory | Relevance of Intermediality |
| Structuralism | Intermediality is relevant in Structuralism as it explores how different media elements, such as narrative structure or visual symbolism, contribute to the overall meaning and coherence of literary works, emphasizing the interconnectedness of various elements in shaping meaning. For example, the study of how filmic techniques influence the narrative structure of a novel aligns with structuralist principles. |
| Poststructuralism | In Poststructuralism, intermediality is pertinent as it challenges fixed meanings and explores the fluid and fragmented nature of language and representation. The interplay between text and visuals, as seen in experimental works like “Hopscotch” by Julio Cortázar, aligns with poststructuralist notions of deconstruction and multiple interpretations. |
| Reader-Response Theory | Intermediality is relevant to Reader-Response Theory by emphasizing the active role of the reader in engaging with different media elements. For instance, hypertext literature allows readers to navigate and create their own paths, influencing the construction of meaning and aligning with the reader-centric focus of this theory. |
| Cultural Studies | In Cultural Studies, intermediality is significant as it examines how literary works intersect with broader cultural phenomena and media influences. Analyzing the adaptation of novels into films or TV series, as seen in the case of Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” allows for an exploration of cultural shifts and power dynamics within different media forms. |
| Postcolonial Theory | Intermediality is relevant in Postcolonial Theory as it allows for an exploration of cultural hybridity and the intersection of various media in the representation of diverse voices and narratives. Salman Rushdie’s use of magical realism and incorporation of different cultural elements in “Midnight’s Children” reflects the blending of literary traditions, aligning with postcolonial discussions on identity and representation. |
In each literary theory, intermediality plays a crucial role by offering a lens through which scholars can analyze the dynamic relationships between different media forms and their impact on literary expression and interpretation.
Intermediality: Application in Critiques
| Book Title | Author | Key Themes and Techniques |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 by George Orwell | George Orwell | a. Interplay of Words and Visuals: Strategic use of written texts and visual propaganda to emphasize oppressive regime’s control. b. Power Dynamics: Juxtaposition of language and image highlights power dynamics in the dystopian society. |
| Kafka on the Shore | Haruki Murakami | a. Literary Collage: Creation of a literary collage with converging and diverging narrative threads mirroring human complexity. b. Multifaceted Narrative: Seamless interweaving of music, literature, and dreams enhances storytelling depth. |
| The Handmaid’s Tale | Margaret Atwood | a. Interplay of Language and Visual Arts: Use of words to construct and deconstruct societal norms; visual symbolism intensifies critique. b. Convergence of Linguistic and Visual Elements: Fusion amplifies impact on societal structures. |
| The Namesake | Jhumpa Lahiri | a. Negotiation of Cultural Identity: Exploration of cultural identity through literature and cinema fusion. b. Adaptation into Cinematic Form: Cinematic adaptation emphasizes fluidity of cultural identity beyond traditional literary boundaries. |
Intermediality: Relevant Terms
| Term | Definition |
| Intermediality | The interaction and intersection of different media forms. |
| Transmediality | The extension of a narrative or concept across various media. |
| Remediation | The process of representing one medium in another. |
| Intertextuality | The referencing and incorporation of one text within another. |
| Paratextuality | Elements surrounding a text, influencing its interpretation. |
| Multimodality | The use of multiple modes of communication within a text. |
| Hypermediacy | A state of intense media saturation and juxtaposition. |
| Intramediality | The exploration of relationships within the same medium. |
| Media-specificity | The unique qualities and attributes of a particular medium. |
| Media Archaeology | Unearthing and studying historical media forms and practices. |
Intermediality: Suggested Readings
- Bolter, Jay David. Writing Space: The Computer, Hypertext, and the History of Writing. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2001.
- Elkins, James. What Photography Is. Routledge, 2011.
- Hayles, N. Katherine. Writing Machines. MIT Press, 2002.
- Jenkins, Henry. Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. New York University Press, 2006.
- McLuhan, Marshall. Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. MIT Press, 1994.
- Mitchell, W. J. T. Picture Theory: Essays on Verbal and Visual Representation. University of Chicago Press, 1995.
- Rajewsky, Irina O. Intermediality, Intertextuality, and Remediation: A Literary Perspective on Intermediality. Walter de Gruyter, 2010.
- Ryan, Marie-Laure. Narrative as Virtual Reality: Immersion and Interactivity in Literature and Electronic Media. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003.
- Thussu, Daya Kishan. Media on the Move: Global Flow and Contra-Flow. Routledge, 2007.
- Werner, Wolf. Intermediality Revisited: Reflections on the Concept and its Applications. Walter de Gruyter, 2002.