Intertextuality is how texts are influenced by other texts. Yes, it is as simple as that. In fact, if you’ve ever written anything, you’ve likely already used this technique.
When a text influences a drawing or photograph, we can consider this a type of ekphrasis or simply inspiration.
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Intertextuality includes references, allusions, and direct or indirect citations from other literary works, cultural artifacts, or historical texts. Within the labyrinth of literature, intertextuality becomes a subtle dance between texts, enriching the reading experience by adding layers of depth and complexity. We are all influenced by the stories, poetry, art, and music we've experienced to some extent. It simply cannot be helped.
If I mention Alice and a rabbit, what do you think of?
It's been done forever. Here are some examples that you might be familiar with:
James Joyce's Ulysses stands as a monumental example of intertextuality, where Joyce maps the structure of Homer's epic, The Odyssey, onto the streets of 20th-century Dublin.
Ernest Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls borrows its title from a meditation by John Donne, connecting the novel's thematic contemplation of life, death, and communal bonds to the 17th-century poet's philosophy.
Weaving Intertextuality into Your Writing
How does one allude to another's text without plagiarizing? How subtle or explicit should the reference be? The key lies in seamlessly integrating these references to enrich rather than overshadow your writing.
Allusions are indirect references to another work, which can be as subtle as a fleeting mention of a character or as significant as adopting the structure of another narrative. To use allusions effectively:
Ensure the allusion adds to your text by creating a parallel, contrast, or extension to the original context.
Consider your audience. Will the reference be understood, or will it create a gap in understanding? Sometimes, an allusion only unfolds its true impact if the reader is familiar with the referenced text.
Don't overburden your text with allusions. The power of an allusion lies in its ability to evoke a significant response in the reader, not in quantity.
Acknowledging the Source
While intertextuality implies a dialogue between texts, proper acknowledgment safeguards against literary theft. It is crucial to:
Cite direct quotes from the original text.
Provide proper attribution when ideas from another text significantly shape your content.
Always acknowledge direct influences to maintain the integrity and authenticity of your work.
The attribution should reflect your method, such as writing "With a line by Ada Limon" following the title and quoting the line within your text using italics. Or "After Louise Gluck's Presque Isle" if your new work has bounced off the idea of the poem (or the shape of the poem!) Presque Isle.
Never re-write an idea without adding your slant to it. This is too close to plagiarism.
An epigraph (a referenced quote) preceding your work is also a type of acknowledgment of an intertextual work.
If you edit the first draft and it looks very different at the end, acknowledging the source is still good etiquette.
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