Creative Writing

Quarter 2 Module 2

INTERTEXTUALITY
AS A TECHNIQUE OF
DRAMA
You might have noticed that there are stories/ movies that have something in
common or the concept is somewhat similar or interrelated. You might also be
surprised to learn that even the most iconic and original films might
have borrowed heavily from other source material. This is due, in part, to a
little thing called intertextuality.
One good example of this is MARA CLARA which is being retold and
adapted in different literary genres. It was a story of 2 children, Mara and
Clara, (switched at birth) which was on the popular Philippine television soap
opera or prime time drama series aired on ABS-CBN from 1992 - 1997. It
was adapted into a feature film released by Star Cinema in 1996. Eventually a
remake of the 1992 series on August, 2010 was screened again on the
Philippine television. Take note that the title of drama is derived from María
Clara, a mestiza heroine in Noli Me Tángere.
 What’s New
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-Gasulas, 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.
Recognising 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

responder 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 Steinback 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.
Another example is:
So. The Spear-Danes in days gone by
And the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness.
We have heard of those princes’ heroic campaigns.
(Beowulf, as translated by Seamus Heaney)
Beowulf is an interesting example of intertextuality because the monster, Grendel, is said to
be a descendant of the Biblical figure of Cain. The first Beowulf poet would probably have
assumed his reader would have understood this allusion and, indeed, know a great deal
about the Bible stories. Our contemporary reading of Beowulf is necessarily intertextual
as well because the original poem was written in Old English, which is unintelligible
to Modern English speakers. Seamus Heaney used the original text to produce his
translation, of course, but his resulting work is his own creation. In the introduction to the
new text, Heaney explains many choices he made, including how he decided to translate
the first
word of the text, “Hwaet!” and “So,” instead of choices other translators made such as
“Listen,” “Lo,” and “Attend.”

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, 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.)

Moreover that we did much long to see you,

The need we have to use you did provoke
Our hasty sanding.

(ROS and GUIL still adjusting their clothing for CLAUDIUS’s presence.)

(Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard)

Tom Stoppard’s absurdist play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead is an excellent
intertextuality example, because Stoppard rewrites Shakespeare’s Hamlet story from the point of
view of two previously unimportant characters (note that Shakespeare did not create Hamlet from
scratch, but instead based it on a legend of Amleth—more intertextuality). For the most part,
Stoppard composes his own lines, but at times lifts text directly from Shakespeare’s version. In a
humorous way, the above excerpt contains the exact speech from Claudius to Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern, yet with Stoppard’s added stage notes. A reader would be required to at least know
something about Shakespeare’s Hamlet to understand the purpose of Stoppard’s commentary on it.

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. For example:
Tom Stoppard’s absurdist play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead is
an excellent intertextuality example, because Stoppard rewrites Shakespeare’s
Hamlet story from the point of view of two previously unimportant characters
(note that Shakespeare did not create Hamlet from scratch, but instead based it
on a legend of Amleth—more intertextuality). For the most part, Stoppard
composes his own lines, but at times lifts text directly from Shakespeare’s
version. In a humorous way, the above excerpt contains the exact speech
from Claudius to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, yet with Stoppard’s added
stage notes. A reader would be required to at least know something about
Shakespeare’s Hamlet to understand the purpose of Stoppard’s commentary on
it.
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. For example:
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.” Another example is:

After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure. (Harry
Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling)

In a moment of subtle intertextuality, the mentor figure of Dumbledore tells Harry Potter
not to pity a dying wizard. The wizard in question has been living for hundreds of
years due to the “sorcerer’s stone,” and is not afraid of death. J.K. Rowling is hinting back
at the line in J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, who once uttered, “to die would be an awfully big
adventure.” There are themes in common between these two fantasy stories of Harry
Potter and Peter Pan, yet the reader does not
need to pick up on the influence to J.M. Barrie’s work to appreciate J.K.
Rowling’s work. J.K. Rowling also borrowed from other sources, such as from
J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and from the horrors of real-life Nazi
Germany, yet once again the reader can appreciate the story without thinking
about its influences.

Appropriation: is another type of intertextual technique which makes use

of adaptation, reinterpretation or reimagining an existing text and making it new.
An example for this is the movie “Batman” which is an adaptation from its
comic’s version. Another example is Valentina is a supervillain created by Mars
Ravelo and Nestor Redondo who first appeared in the second episode of
the Darna series published in the Philippine comics Pilipino Komiks (issue #78,
1950).
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.

2005 television Darna

1973 film Lipad, Darna, Lipad!
2003 theater Darna
2017 theater Pilipino Komiks
2018 theater Ding, ang Bato!

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.

Below are the pictures of The Summer Solstice by Nick Joaquin and Tatarin movie.
 Tatarin was filmed on 2001 which is an adaptation of the novel, The Summer
Solstice by Nick Joaquin. It is a ritual performed by women to invoke the gods to grant
the blessing of fertility by dancing around a Balete tree that was already a century old.
The ritual was known as Tatarin and lasted for three days during the summer months.
The last day of Tatarin is the same day as St John’s Day ( St. John’s Day in the 1850s
in the Philippines).

The story of The Summer Solstice begins with St. John's Day, as it occurred in the 1850s[1] in
the Philippines. Entoy informed Doña Lupeng that Amada had participated in the Tatarin
fertility ritual. Amada was believed to have become the Tatarin personified. The next day, while on
board a carriage, Doña Lupeng started a conversation regarding how Amada could still believe in
such a ritual. Don Paeng cut her short
because children were listening. The carriage stopped, and they watched the St.
John's Day procession. Thinking and speaking to herself, Doña Lupeng mocked
the men's demonstration of arrogance during the procession. Upon arriving at the
house, Doña Lupeng found out that Guido, Don Paeng's cousin, had participated
in both the St. John's Day procession and the Tatarin ritual. Guido enjoyed the
"fiestas". Guido kissed Doña Lupeng's feet as the latter was on her way to look
for her children. Doña Lupeng told Don Paeng about the incident. Don
Paeng was disgusted and reasoned that a woman needed love and respect, not
adoration. Doña Lupeng and Don Paeng went to see the Tatarin ritual at the plaza.
The revelers had their own St. John statue. Doña Lupeng joined the ceremony.
Failing from pulling Doña Lupeng out of the ritual, Don Paeng had to ask the
carriage driver, Entoy, to take Doña Lupeng back. At the house, Doña Lupeng
was able to make Don Paeng tell her that he adored her. In submission, Don
Paeng kissed Doña Lupeng's feet.
Theme: St. John’s and Tatarin Festivals – The St. John’s festival is about men and
their fertility, which seems quite vulgar to Lupeng and makes her start to realize how
she wishes women could be seen in the same way. The Tatarin festival is the exact
opposite, showing women as leaders of fertility since they carry children. This
festival is the last trigger to make Lupeng feel as though she is stronger than a man
and deserves adoration.

The story enables one to analyze and understand the author’s intended message
about the "stereotypical notions of masculinity and femininity", the difference
between genders, and the hierarchy that bound the two sexes.
 What I can do
Directions: Unscramble the words/titles given below to unlock the 5
adaptations of Sleeping Beauty. Write your answer on a separate sheet
of paper.
1.SPINDLE BY SHONNA SLAYTON
2. SPNNING THORNS BY ANNA SHEEHAN
3. ONCE AGAIN BY CAMERON DOKEY
4 THE SLEEPER AND THE SPINDLE BY NEIL GAIMAN
5. A LONG, LONG SLEEP BY ANNA SHEEHAN
 Wha t I have learned
Directions: Read and analyze the given statements below. Write
TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if the statement is wrong.
TRUE FALSE
1. 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.
2. The types of intertextual techniques can help someone analyze and understand similar or related
texts.
3. Intertextual reference does not require an understanding of drama’s literary
techniques and devices.
4. Intertextuality cannot be applied in literary texts.
5. Explicit intertextuality, where the allusion is more indirect may occur through such
commonalities as genre or style.
6. Beowulf is an interesting example of allusion.
7. The graphic novel Zsazasa Zaturnnah is an appropriation of Darna, Philippine fictional hero
8. 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.
9. Do not read the passage to identify any clear intertextual references to literature, music, art, film,
or another text type
10. the significance of using intertextual reference is not important.
 W h a t ’s M o r e

Directions: Read and analyze the questions below. Give your understanding
on intertextuality by writing it on a separate sheet of paper. Your answers
will be rated based on the rubric found below.
1. Recall/re-read The World is an Apple on Module 1, can you find
intertextual
reference to other literary works? How does this drama related to Adam
and Eve’s story from the Bible found in Genesis 2-3 and the Story of
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs written by Anne Carroll) and the
like? What similar concepts are used in these literary genres?
2. What is the significance of using those intertextual references and
how your knowledge and understanding of those help you understand
the drama, The World is an Apple ?

3. Does intertextual reference deepen your current understanding and

perspective of the text? Justify your answer.
Intertextuality Rubric
Criteria Excellent Good Average Needs
Improvement
Points 20 15 10 5
Appropriate to Written response Written response Response to Response lacks
the specific addresses the somewhat address questions is comprehension
task specific task clearly the specific task somewhat unclear or addresses a different
(Content) but not entirely or vague.
question/ No response
provided.
Quality and Response is Response is Response is Response is
Clarity of well organized and organized and fairly organized and disorganized and
Thought developed with developed developed, underdeveloped,
(Content) appropriate support with general presenting providing little or no
to supporting ideas generalizing without relevant
make meaning clear provided adequate support. support.

Grammar, Response is Response has Response has 4-5 Response has 6

Usage, and free from any errors 3 or less errors in grammar, or more errors in
Mechanics in grammar, usage, errors in grammar, usage, and grammar, usage and
(Writing) and mechanics. usage and mechanics. mechanics./ No
mechanics response provided.
 P o s t Te s t

1. Which of the following statements is the best intertextuality definition?

A. The relationship between texts.
B. Allusions from one text to another.
C. The translation of a text into a different language.
2. Which of the following statements expresses the correct definition of
parody?
A. A harsh, biting attack on a more famous author.
B. A work that imitates the style of another work often for comedic effect.
C. A critique of government officials or current events in a piece of
literature.
3. Which statements best define allusion?
A. A false or misleading impression of reality.
B. A reference to another object outside of the work of literature.
4. Which of the following intertextual technique makes use of
adaptation or reinterpretation?
A. allusion
B. appropriation
C. parody

5. Which of the following sentence is NOT true about parody?

A. It is an imitation of an original work of a writer, artist, subject, or genre
to make fun of it.
B. It is not an exaggeration in the way an original is imitated to
produce a humorous effect.
C. It allows writer to use an existing story as a reference in coming up
with another story to entertain the audience.
B. Directions: Read and fill in the missing word to complete the idea of the sentence.
Choose your answer from the given list of words in the box. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper

1. The concept of _________________________________ refers to the idea

that authors can use literary connections as a way to communicate.
2.Appropriation is an intertextual technique which makes use
of
_________________________________ or reinterpretation.
3. Zsazasa Zaturnnah is an example of
_________________________________.
4. Spindle is a novel adaptation of _________________________________.
5. Intertextuality is present when a text’s meaning is influenced by
C. Directions: Write FACT if the statement is true and OPINION if it is
false.
____________ 1. Intertextual references allow for a deeper understanding
of the text.
____________ 2. Intertextuality is not an effective literary technique.
____________ 3. You can think of an intertextual reference as a story
retold in another story.
____________ 4. Movie parodies are some examples of intertextuality.
____________ 5. Stories with intertextual references are entirely similar.