What does "intertextuality" refer to?

• A. The act of writing in multiple languages
• B. The influence of authors' personal lives on their texts
• C. The relationship between different literary works
• D. The sequential structure of a narrative

Answer: (C)

Intertextuality refers to the relationship between different literary works, highlighting how texts can reference, influence, or echo one another. This concept recognizes that literature is not created in a vacuum; rather, it exists in a web of connections with other texts. Through intertextuality, readers can see how one author's work might draw upon themes, characters, or ideas from another's, enriching the understanding and appreciation of both texts. This interconnectedness can manifest through direct quotations, allusions, or shared themes, and it enhances the reader's ability to engage with and analyze literature on a deeper level.

The other concepts presented do not capture the essence of intertextuality. Writing in multiple languages pertains to linguistic diversity rather than textual relationships. The influence of authors' personal lives focuses on biographical factors shaping a text, which is a different analytical approach. The sequential structure of a narrative concerns narrative techniques and plot development, not the broader connections between different literary works. Hence, the definition that aligns with the concept of intertextuality is the relationship between different literary works.