Allusions and Intertextuality in Novels

A guide for students to understand intertextual references and allusions in novels. With an overview of the academic literature and thinking behind these core concepts. References to the various agreed upon types of intertextual references are made and different types of allusions and the differences between these two textual features and literary techniques.

1. Allusions and Intertextuality In Novels

2. Learning Intention: I can identify and apply the concept of intertextuality to novels.

3. Intertextuality Vs. Allusion Intertextuality A reference to other texts within a text. This allows the core text to draw on a much broader range of connotations than if it simply created its own world and language. The referenced texts can be novels, films, comics, songs, advertisements, anything from popular culture, mythology or history. Allusion A n expression that calls attention to something without explicitly mentioning it, often called a ‘passing reference’.

4. Allusion – 4 Types Biblical (A specific type of literary allusion) Literary Historical Cultural (Popular or otherwise)

5. Intertextuality – 8 Types 1. Revision: Changing a text to update it or fit more neatly with the authors goals of vision for the text. 2. Translation: Changing a text from one language to another. 3. Quotation: Inserting a part of the referenced text into the text being studied. 4. Sources: The text is based on a previous text in plot, characters and other ways, this can be intended or accidental. 5. Conventions and configurations: The text follows conventions and structures of certain other types of genre fiction, i.e. Fairy Tales. 6. Genres: The text takes keys and guidance from other texts within the same genre. 7. Paralogues: Texts that critique, analyse or record the references being made within the text being studied. 8. Original Intertext: An author creates their own texts to refer to within the base text.

6. Metaphors World Wide Web Hyperlink In Multimodal texts it may actually be hyperlinked or attest definable

7. The difference Allusions can be made accidentally, are brief and do not directly reference the core text, (more often used like a symbol – used once) An intertextual reference cannot be made accidentally, can be more consistently applied (more often used like a motif, used frequently)

8. Effect 1: Authorial Style The first thing to considered is the degree to which an author chooses to reference or not reference other texts. 1) Many References 2) No references 3) Original References For example J.R.R. Tolkien

9. Effect 2: Presumed knowledge Like the persuasive technique inclusive language, intertextual references, but even more so allusions make connections between the writer and the reader. You feel privileged and ‘in the know’ because you have processed and understood an allusion that the author has made. This may give you the sense that the story has been written for you.

10. Effect 3: Richer text Allusions and intertextual references allow for a much richer range of understandings to be included within one text. Similar to connotations, allusion and intertextual references draw on a wider range of imagery and ideas than simple routine writing. In a moment you can take the reader from one fantasy location to another with the simple mention of a key phrase or text title.

11. Three key communications About the characters in the base text About the author who created the text and their intellectual and cultural milieu About the setting or time period of the text

12. The End: G o out and seek examples of this literary device and consider what they communicate