Intertextuality: An Introduction

• DOI: 10.1353/com.2011.0001
• Publication Date: 2011-06-19T13:00:43Z
• Authors: Elaine Martin
• Keywords: Intertextuality; Différance; Indeterminacy

IntertextualityAn Introduction Elaine Martin Intertextuality, which has occasionally been used somewhat blithely to designate interdisciplinary and comparative investigations of various sorts, may, in its theorization historicization, not be blithe at all. That is, we may agree on meaning. Most critics that the term was coined late 1960s by Julia Kristeva, who combined ideas from Bakhtin social context language with Saussure's positing systematic features language.1 Kristeva's definition, her essay "Word, Dialogue Novel," reads: intertextuality is "a mosaic quotations; any text absorption transformation another. The notion replaces intersubjectivity, poetic read as least double" (Kristeva 85, cited Moi 37).2 work sixties coincided transition structuralism poststructuralism. Graham Allen describes this move "one assertions objectivity, scientific rigour, methodological stability other highly rationalistic-sounding terms are replaced an emphasis uncertainty, indeterminacy, incommunicability, subjectivity, desire, pleasure play" (3). This uncertainty undercut authorial intention allowed Roland Barthes proclaim liberation reader 'from traditional power authority figure 'author,' now 'dead'" (Allen 4). foregoing constitutes a seriously abbreviated history intertextuality, but bottom line current association postmodernism, turn, associated "pastiches, imitation mixing already established styles practices" 5). Intertextuality gains definitional specificity comparison "other globalizing rival for cultural recycling such 'interdiscursivity,' 'interdisciplinarity' 'hypertext'" (Orr 7). Also potentially mix intermediality, leapfrogs altogether necessity text—explicit or implicit—a characteristic separates it clearly intertextuality. writes "[i]ntertextuality seems useful because foregrounds notions relationality, interconnectedness interdependence modern life" (5). Mary Orr adds: "By highlighting unvoiced modes intertextual guises—paraphrase, formulaic expression, variant, recontextualization, translation—various tacit critical agendas behind intertextuality's representations become visible. Among most practical [End Page 148] functions (re-) evaluation means comparison, counter-position contrast" (7). "tacit agendas," refers, would include challenge hegemony originality uniqueness over reproduction/copy 6). Finally, appropriated adapted non-literary art forms so not—despite embedded word "text"—exclusively related works literature written texts, including virtual texts. And function: like influence imitation, neutral thus hints underlying socio-political importance. essays grouped together here were originally presented seminar 2010 acla meeting New Orleans entitled "Intertextualities: Text, Image, Beyond." had dual focus: exploration manifestations along continuum ranging plagiarism equally theoretical investigation itself. interests represented these widely varied interplay (seemingly unrelated) photos; ekphrastic commentary painting, both treated poem; overview iconoclastic tendencies graphic novel; close reading innovative novel, which, first glance, unsuited thematically genre. Following discussion photography's status world whole, Santesso focuses specifically interrelationship (pseudo-memoir Künstlerroman) black-and-white photographs (of Istanbul) Orhan Pamuk's Istanbul: Memories City (English transl. 2005). contests idea complements literary since images seem, have little connection narrative. idiosyncratic interpretations photos reveal subjective metatext hovering between two narratives, text. cites Barthes's punctum image, "an accident which...