intertekst

Intertekst, or intertextuality, is a concept in literary and cultural studies that describes the way texts are shaped by other texts. An intertekst can be any reference that enters a text from other works, genres, or media, including explicit quotations, allusions, parody, pastiche, stylistic imitation, or genre conventions. The idea emphasizes that texts do not exist in isolation; meaning arises through relations with prior or surrounding texts within a culture.

The term was popularized in the latter half of the 20th century by French theorist Julia Kristeva, who argued that a text is a mosaic of quotations and that every utterance is shaped by other voices. Kristeva drew on Mikhail Bakhtin’s dialogism to suggest that meaning emerges from the dialogue among multiple textual and social voices, rather than from a single authorial source. Over time, intertextuality has been applied across literature, film, music, and other media to examine how references function for readers and viewers.

Intertekst operates through various mechanisms: quotation, allusion, homage, parody, pastiche, and transformation of genres or styles. It affects interpretation by signaling connections, challenging notions of originality, and inviting readers to decode layers of meaning. In analysis, researchers identify sources, motifs, or stylistic cues and assess their effect on tone, context, and interpretation. Critics note that the concept can be wide in scope and sometimes risks overreading, but it remains a central tool for understanding how texts communicate within a network of cultural references.