texts and other texts

Texts and Other Texts

Central Focus: Intertextuality—”the way that texts are always related to and dependent upon other texts.”

“Texts are always related to and dependent upon other texts.”

So what?Well…it flies in the face of our commonsense notions about literary “originality.”

“Texts are always related to and dependent upon other texts.”

So what?Still, the very word “text” carries with it the idea of a web, a network, a fabric—something intricately woven of many interdependent strands.

text

[a. F. texte, also ONF. tixte), the Scriptures, ad. med.L. textus the Gospel, written

character, L. textus style, tissue of a literary work, lit. that which is woven, web, texture,

f. text-, ppl. stem of tex-re to weave.]

Any given text might be related…

•to some texts by virtue of a common topic•to others by virtue of a common theme, &•to still others by virtue of a common style or form or genre

Any given text might…

•make explicit or implicit references or allusions to other texts;•transform or adapt another text (this would include spoofs or parodies);•interpret or comment upon another text.

The Simpsons Network•Jonathan Gray, Watching With The Simpsons•Jon Horowitz, “Mmm…Television”•Mattia Miani, “The Simpsons: Innovation and Tradition in a Postmodern TV Family”

•“Intertextuality” (Metapedia)

The Ichthus Network