Creative Writing Quarter 2 Module 2:

Intertextuality as a Technique of Drama

Lesson 1: Intertextuality- Technique of Drama

According to Julia Kristeva (1960s), Intertextuality is a literary device that creates an 'interrelationship between
texts' and generates related understanding in separate works which that shape a text’s meaning. The recognizable
echoes of other texts in a text intensify the experience of the text by adding layers of meaning.

It is one very effective literary technique used by playwrights and writers. Montenegro-Glassfuls, et. al. (2017)
describes intertextuality to be present when a text’s meaning (story, book, article, song, video, or movie) is influenced
by another text which may be done either subtly or noticeably.

The key idea is that these intertextual references allow for a deeper understanding of the text. Also, the texts
or key ideas used previously have become familiar to the audience or reader which can make the story more relevant
and memorable. You can think of it as a story retold in another story.

Recognizing and understanding intertextuality leads to a much richer reading

experience which invites new interpretations as it brings another context, idea, story into the text at hand.
Rob Pope distinguishes between three types of intertextuality;

Explicit intertextuality, alluding specifically to another text through quotation or reference.

Implied intertextuality, where the allusion is more indirect may occur through such commonalities as genre or style.

Inferred intertextuality referring to the texts drawn on by the actual responded and will likely include texts that had
not even existed when the text was composed.

Different kinds of intertextuality:

Allusion:
A subtle or indirect reference to another text, historical period or religious belief. A good example of this is an
excerpt from the story East of Eden by John Stein-back which reads: “Even God can have a preference, can he?
Let’s suppose God liked lamb better than vegetables. I think I do myself. Cain brought him a bunch of carrots maybe.
And God said, ‘I don’t like this. Try again. Bring me something I like and I’ll set you up alongside your brother.’ But
Cain got mad. His feelings were hurt. And when a man’s feelings are hurt he wants to strike at something, and Abel
was in the way of his anger.” This work of literature makes the allusion on the biblical story of Cain and Abel
abundantly clear.

Parody
is an intertextual technique which allows writers to use an existing story as a reference in coming up with another
story with a slightly different version mostly done to entertain or make the audience laugh. The graphic novel Zsazasa
Zaturnnah is a parody of Darna, Philippine fictional hero. The concept presented in Darna has been adapted in Zsazsa
Zaturnnah. While Darna is about a woman who gains superpowers, the latter is about a gay man who transforms into a
super powered woman. The villain in Darna known as Valentina, 7 the Queen of Snakes is inspired by the Gorgons
race of Greek mythology which features Medusa, the woman with living poisonous snakes as her hair and who can
turn those who look at her in the eyes into stone.
Another example is:
CLAUDIUS: Welcome, dear Rosencrantz… (he raises a hand at GUIL while ROS bows – GUIL bows late and
hurriedly.)… and Guildenstern. (He raises a hand at ROS while GUIL bows to him – ROS is still straightening up
from his previous bow and half way up he bows down again. With his head down, he twists to look at GUIL, who is
on the way up.)

Pastiche is any work of art that imitates the style of another artist or artists which is not meant to ridicule the original
style in the way that a parody does; instead, a pastiche respects the original style and often pays some homage to it. In
literature, a pastiche usually is a light-hearted imitation that is jocular while celebrating the original.

Quotation: A direct reference to another text with an acknowledgement of its composer. For example, In Margaret
Atwood’s speech, Spotty Handed Villainesses, she quotes Dame Rebecca West, saying, “Ladies of Great Britain… we
have not enough evil in us.”

Adaptation: A film, TV drama, or stage play that is based on a written work. For example, Jose Rizal’s “Noli Me
Tángere” (1887) and “El Filibusterismo” (1891), and JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series has a film adaptation.
Here is a table showing the film, television and theater adaptation of Darna.

Analyzing intertextuality –A step-by-step process

Let’s look at an overview of the process of identifying and analyzing intertextuality.

1. Read the passage to identify any clear intertextual references to literature, music, art, film, or another text type.

2. Research or use your own knowledge of the text you have identified and find any themes or messages that can be linked to your
current text.

3. What is the significance of using this reference?

 How does it compliment the author’s intended message?
 Does it deepen your current understanding and perspective of the text? If so, justify your answer.