Textuality and intertextuality from "summary" of Derrida and Deconstruction by Hugh J. Silverman
Textuality refers to the idea that texts are not self-contained entities, but rather are interconnected with other texts. This means that every text is influenced by the texts that came before it, as well as the cultural and historical context in which it was created. Textuality challenges the notion of originality, suggesting that all texts are in some way derivative of other texts. Intertextuality, on the other hand, takes this idea a step further by emphasizing the ways in which texts are in constant dialogue with one another. Intertextuality highlights the interconnectedness of texts, showing how they reference and borrow from one another. This concept suggests that meaning is not fixed or stable, but is instead constantly being constructed and reconstructed through the interactions between texts. Derrida's work on textuality and intertextuality is particularly concerned with the ways in which language shapes our understanding of the world. He argues that language is never neutral, but is always already structured by power dynamics and social hierarchies. Derrida's deconstructive approach to textuality seeks to uncover these hidden power structures and reveal the ways in which they impact our understanding of the world. By focusing on textuality and intertextuality, Derrida challenges us to rethink our assumptions about language and meaning. He encourages us to see texts not as isolated entities, but as part of a larger web of meaning that is constantly in flux. Through his deconstructive approach, Derrida invites us to question the ways in which language shapes our understanding of reality and to consider how texts can be read in new and unexpected ways.
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