Intertextuality for Dummies

Intertextuality is a big word to describe a simple idea.
People like things that are familiar. As a result, authors often borrow language and symbols from other stories to make theirs seem more interesting. These common themes link the stories together. For example, there is a creation myth in every culture to explain where the world came from and why we are here. A story can refer back to “the creation myth,” so that no matter who the audience is, they think about the stories they were told as children, and need no further explanation.
Every genre contains countless references back to itself and to other genres. Many build upon the themes of friendship, adventure, romance, or comedy. Today, there are television shows, movies, and many other types of media. No matter what you are reading or watching, watch out for direct (and indirect) references to other stories. The more you see and read, the more you will notice intertextuality.

