Texts and Other Texts

1
Texts and Other Texts

• Central Focus Intertextualitythe way that
  texts are always related to and dependent upon
  other texts.  

2
Texts are always related to and dependent upon
other texts. So what?

• Wellit flies in the face of our commonsense
  notions about literary originality. 

3
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 fabricsomething
  intricately woven of many interdependent strands.

4
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. 

5
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

6
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.

7
Intertextuality in action

• 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.

8
The Simpsons Network

• Jonathan Gray, Watching With The Simpsons
• Jon Horowitz, MmmTelevision
• Mattia Miani, The Simpsons Innovation and
  Tradition in a Postmodern TV Family
• Intertextuality (Metapedia)

9
The Ichthus Network