intertextuality

American  

[in-ter-teks-choo-al-i-tee] / ˌɪn tərˌtɛks tʃuˈæl ɪ ti /

noun

1. the interrelationship between texts, especially works of literature; the way that similar or related texts influence, reflect, or differ from each other.

   the intertextuality between two novels with the same setting.

---

Usage

What does intertextuality mean? Intertextuality refers to the way that works of art, especially literature, are related and influence each other. Text, in this context, most often refers to a work of literature, like a book or poem, but it can be any creative work, such as a film, song, painting, or speech. Intertextuality often involves things like the similarities and differences between two pieces, but it can also cover a broad range of relationships between different works. Intertextuality is primarily used in literary and cultural criticism and analysis. Example: In this class, we’ll examine the intertextuality between Hamlet and The Lion King.

Other Word Forms

• intertextual adjective
• intertextually adverb

Etymology

Origin of intertextuality

1970–75; < French intertextualité < inter- inter- + textuel textual + -ité -ity

Example Sentences

It also features intertextuality, narratorial irony, recursiveness, and heteroglossia.

From The New Yorker • Apr. 19, 2019

“Going for a Beer” presents the garden of intertextuality in Coover’s fictional universe.

From New York Times • Apr. 27, 2018

She put the problems down to a “lack of necessary diligence” in keeping track of her sources, and her practice of intertextuality.

From The Guardian • Sep. 9, 2017

William's interpretation shows how his assistant's dream was a dream of books, a dream of dreams, of a past and future inextricably mixed in imagination--a triumph of intertextuality.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2016

"Your dissertation on Joycean intertextuality is sick, bro."

From Slate • Nov. 20, 2013