Intertextuality in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Intertextuality

The term “intertextuality” has its etymological roots in the Latin word “textus,” which means “text” or “fabric.” The prefix “inter-“ denotes the idea of “between” or “among.”

Therefore, “intertextuality” essentially conveys the notion of texts being interwoven or interconnected, reflecting how literary works often reference, borrow from, and engage with other texts. It creates a complex web of textual relationships.

This term underscores the dynamic and dialogical nature of literature. In this way, it shows how texts are not isolated entities but part of a broader literary fabric.

Meanings of Intertextuality

Key Points	Description
Interconnected Literary References	Authors incorporate elements, themes, or phrases from earlier works, creating rich literary connections.
Dialogues Between Texts	Texts respond to, critique, or reinterpret each other, enriching the reader’s experience through exploration of connections and contrasts.
Cultural and Contextual Significance	Literature reflects cultural and historical context by commenting on social norms, values, and ideologies of the time.
Reader Engagement and Interpretation	Readers actively engage with texts by recognizing and deciphering references, deepening their understanding through exploration of layers of meaning.
Postmodern Deconstruction of Authorship	Challenges traditional notions of authorship and originality, blurring the lines between author, text, and reader by emphasizing collaborative creation.
Poststructuralist Analysis	Reveals the decentered nature of language and meaning, highlighting the shaping influence of diverse texts and discourses.
Intertextual Strategies in Postcolonialism	Empowers marginalized voices by referencing and subverting colonial texts, allowing them to challenge dominant narratives.
Critical Examination of Influence and Authority	Prompts critical analysis of power dynamics in literature, questioning the authority of certain texts or voices and their impact on cultural discourse.
Literary Creativity and Innovation	Serves as a source of literary innovation, enabling authors to reinterpret and transform existing narratives, contributing to the evolution of literary traditions.

Definition of Intertextuality as a Theoretical Term

Intertextuality, in theoretical terms, is the concept that highlights the interconnectedness of literary works and cultural artifacts. It signifies that texts are in constant dialogue with those that came before, shaping and influencing one another.

This perspective emphasizes how authors draw from, reinterpret, or challenge existing texts to enrich their works and convey deeper smeaning. It challenges traditional notions of originality and authorship, emphasizing the dynamic and collaborative nature of textuality within broader cultural contexts.

Intertextuality: Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Julia Kristeva:

• Work: Desire in Language: A Semiotic Approach to Literature and Art
• Argument: Kristeva introduced the term as part of her semiotic approach, emphasizing the interplay of signs and the continual referencing of other texts within a literary work.

Roland Barthes:

• Work: The Death of the Author
• Argument: Barthes questioned the authority of the author and highlighted how readers actively contribute to the meaning of a text through intertextual connections and interpretations.

Mikhail Bakhtin:

• Work: Problems of Dostoevsky’s Poetics
• Argument: Bakhtin’s concept of “dialogism” emphasizes the multi-voiced nature of texts and the ongoing dialogue between different texts, contributing to intertextual analysis.

Kristeva’s Intertextuality Theory:

• Work: Word, Dialogue, and Novel
• Argument: Kristeva’s theory explores the idea of the “intertext,” where texts intersect and generate new meanings through their interactions.

Postmodern Intertextuality:

• Works: Various postmodern literature
• Argument: Postmodern authors often engage in playful intertextuality, blurring the lines between high and low culture and challenging conventional narrative structures.

Intertextuality in Postcolonial Literature:

• Works: Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea
• Argument: Postcolonial literature uses intertextuality to reframe and subvert colonial narratives, giving voice to marginalized perspectives.

Intertextuality and Adaptation:

• Works: Film adaptations of literary classics
• Argument: Adaptations in different media, such as film, engage in intertextuality by referencing and reinterpreting source texts, offering new insights and perspectives.

These theorists, works, and arguments collectively contribute to our understanding of how intertextuality operates in literature, theory, and cultural discourse.

Intertextuality and Literary Theories

Theory	Relevance
Structuralism and Semiotics	Structuralism and semiotics explore the underlying structures and signs within texts. Intertextuality is relevant as it highlights how texts are connected through a network of signs and references, emphasizing the role of signs in creating meaning.
Poststructuralism and Deconstruction	Poststructuralism challenges the fixed meanings of texts and emphasizes the fluidity of language. Deconstruction, a part of poststructuralism, deconstructs texts to reveal their multiple meanings and contradictions. Intertextuality is relevant as it underscores how texts are continually deconstructed and reconstructed through their connections with other texts.
New Historicism and Cultural Studies	New Historicism and Cultural Studies examine the cultural and historical context in which texts are produced. Intertextuality is relevant as it shows how texts engage with and reflect the cultural and historical influences of their time by referencing other works.
Postcolonialism	Postcolonialism explores the effects of colonialism on colonized cultures. Intertextuality is relevant in postcolonial literature as it often involves the reappropriation and subversion of colonial texts, providing a voice to marginalized cultures.
Feminist Theory	Feminist theory, particularly in postcolonial contexts, examines how women’s voices are silenced or appropriated in literature. Intertextuality is relevant as it is used to analyze how women writers engage with and reinterpret male-dominated literary traditions.
Reception Theory	Reception theory focuses on how readers interpret and receive texts. Intertextuality is relevant as it highlights how readers actively engage with texts by recognizing intertextual references, contributing to the diverse interpretations of a work.
Psychoanalytic Literary Theory	Psychoanalytic theory delves into the psychological aspects of characters and authors. Intertextuality is relevant as it is used to analyze how authors’ personal experiences and traumas may be reflected in intertextual references within their works.
Reader-Response Theory	Reader-response theory emphasizes the role of the reader in constructing meaning. Intertextuality is relevant as it invites readers to actively engage with texts by recognizing references, impacting their interpretation and response.

Intertextuality in Literary Criticism

Work	Intertextuality Critique
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985)	Atwood’s use of intertextuality enriches the narrative significantly. She skillfully references religious texts, historical events, and feminist literature, which deepens the exploration of an oppressive patriarchal society. By reinterpreting biblical stories, particularly the story of Rachel and Leah, Atwood highlights the subjugation of women. Furthermore, her references to feminist literature of the 1970s, such as “The Second Sex” by Simone de Beauvoir, effectively delve into themes of female oppression and resistance. This meticulous intertextuality adds layers to the narrative, resonating with readers and provoking critical reflection on contemporary social and political issues.
Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987)	Morrison’s intertextual elements from African American history, folklore, and the slave narrative tradition contribute profoundly to the narrative. Her references to historical events like the Middle Passage and the incorporation of the ghostly presence of the titular character, who symbolizes the trauma of slavery, create a haunting and emotionally resonant story. Moreover, Morrison’s interweaving of elements from African folklore, such as the concept of “rememory,” strengthens the connection between personal and collective histories of African Americans. This deliberate use of intertextuality underscores the importance of remembering and acknowledging the past.
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien (1990)	O’Brien’s intertextuality, drawn from war literature and his own experiences as a soldier in the Vietnam War, significantly enhances his stories. His references to historical accounts and other war literature, such as Hemingway’s “In Another Country” and Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness,” add authenticity and emotional depth to his narratives. By blurring the lines between fiction and reality through these intertextual references, O’Brien masterfully explores the complexities of truth and storytelling, especially within the context of war.
White Noise by Don DeLillo (1985)	DeLillo’s satirical novel is intricately connected to consumer culture, media, and popular culture of the 1980s through intertextuality. His references to advertisements, television shows, and consumer products serve as a poignant critique of the superficiality and alienation prevalent in contemporary society. Furthermore, the incorporation of elements of postmodernism, reminiscent of works by Thomas Pynchon and J.G. Ballard, adds depth to the narrative. DeLillo’s deliberate intertextual references highlight the absurdity of consumer-driven culture and its profound impact on individual identity. The novel’s intertextual layers effectively comment on the overwhelming influence of mass media and technology in the modern world.

Suggested Readings

1. Barthes, Roland. S/Z: An Essay. Hill and Wang, 1974.
2. Genette, Gérard. Palimpsests: Literature in the Second Degree. Translated by Channa Newman and Claude Doubinsky. University of Nebraska Press, 1997.
3. Kristeva, Julia. Desire in Language: A Semiotic Approach to Literature and Art. Translated by Thomas Gora, Alice Jardine, and Leon S. Roudiez. Columbia University Press, 1980.
4. Lodge, David. The Art of Fiction. Vintage, 1992.
5. Morrison, Toni. Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination. Harvard University Press, 1992.
6. Riffaterre, Michael. Text Production. Columbia University Press, 1983.
7. Todorov, Tzvetan. Mikhail Bakhtin: The Dialogical Principle. Translated by Wlad Godzich. University of Minnesota Press, 1984.
8. Wolf, Werner, ed. Metareference across Media: Theory and Case Studies. Amsterdam University Press, 2009.
9. Worton, Michael, and Judith Still, eds. Intertextuality: Theories and Practice. Manchester University Press, 1990.
10. Zoran, Gabriel. The Evolution of the English Novel. Peter Lang, 1983.