Intertextuality and Narrative Critical Summary

Intertextuality and Narrative

Critical summary of Daniel Chandler's Arguments in Semiotics for Beginners

In his article, Semiotics for Beginners, Chandler discusses the signifier and the signified as the basic components of sign. In his argument, the signifier is the form taken by the sign while the signified is the outcome or reaction of the signifier. If a symbol is the signifier, then a particular concept in the mind regarding the symbol becomes the signified. There are a considerable number of signs with every sign taking distinctive form from the other. The science of semiotics provides a comprehensible analysis of the significance of signs and the relationship between them (Daniel Chandler). The fundamental weakness of the structural semiotics is the tendency to treat individual texts as closed-off entities, distinct, and conducting exclusive analysis of the internal structures. The generic structures appear as strictly bounded entities even when they are actually a unified collection. The primary analytical task of the structuralist is to delimit the existing boundaries of the system. The structuralist would consider including the important components and excluding those that are less important as far as structuralist semiotics are concerned. Even though delimitation of the boundaries is logistically comprehensible, it might be a breeding ground for the pending ontological problems. In several instances, the code would transcend structures. The article acknowledges the poststructuralist theorists for their significant contributions to the semiotic notion of intertextuality. Intertextuality is the interdependent ways in which texts stand in relation to one another to produce specific meaning. The article attests to the contributions of Julia Kristeva (a Bulgarian-French philosopher) to intertextuality during the 20th century. The concept is both a cultural as well as literary theory in the contemporary society. It foregrounds the ideas and impressions of interdependence, interconnectedness, and relationality in the modern cultural life of different societies globally (Daniel Chandler).

The impressions have considerable effect on the foundation of societies taking into account the social, cultural, and political outcomes. However, most postmodern theorists argue that any debate about the distinctiveness or originality of any artistic art no longer bear fruit. They embrace the reality that nearly all artistic objects, whether a novel or painting, derived its structure and other basic components from already existing art. Interpretation would therefore rely upon the reader, the text, wring, printing, reading, history, and publishing (Daniel Chandler). The language of the text along with the reading history of the reader sums up the phenomenon of intertextuality. Hence, every reading and every text rely upon the prior codes. Kristeva considered texts as either belonging to the horizontal axis or a vertical axis. The horizontal axis connects the author and the reader of that particular text while the vertical axis connects the text with other texts. Shared codes usually connect or unit these two axes. In effect, every reading just like the text would depend on the prior codes (Daniel Chandler). Only appropriate codes would unite the two axes. Otherwise, inappropriate codes would only serve to create controversies and disharmony between the two axes. Thus, it becomes difficult for the reader to connect well with the author just as connecting given text with another also becomes a major challenge.

An author would influence the works of another author if his or her piece of art has significant characteristics especially texts that connects well with the thoughts and philosophy of the reader or author of an imminent text that is very different from that of the former. Artists share a wide range of ideas and views about certain literary phenomena. This will translate to certain philosophies that govern their paintings, films or novels. Such believes are deep-rooted in the society and affect the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the society. According to theorists of intertextuality, the authorship of any text is not real. To them, people claiming authorship or ownership of texts, are insincere and disingenuous. As Ronald Barthes pointed out, every author or artist, depend on the already existing art. Therefore, even the originality is controversial. As proponents of intertextuality, they doubted the authorship since texts are simply multidimensional space where variety of writings blends and clash. In the book, Marxism and the Philosophy of Language (1929), the author attests to every text or reading as a mere rewriting of the existing texts or materials. Under extreme circumstances, readers construct authors. Some authors still contest authorship of selected materials, as the ideas are usually the same.

Framing is another aspect that stands out in the article. Television programs are popular with framing habit particularly when showing soap and sitcom. Therefore, the readers or viewers individual understanding and analysis of the piece would depend on such framings. The texts would provide meaning and contexts within their own creation and interpretation. In attempting to make sense out of any advertisement, it imperative for an individual to first know what he or she is looking for or expectation. Previous experiences with related advert would largely influence the expectations of the person as far as the new advert is concerned.

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