Intertextuality and Intratextuality in Stephen King's "The Dark Tower" Series

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Chapter One: The Theories of Intertextuality and Intratextuality
  • Intertextuality
  • Intertextuality in History
  • De Saussure's Influence on the Theory of Intertextuality
  • Mikhail Bakhtin and the Development of the Term Intertextuality
  • Intertextuality and Roland Barthes's "The Death of the Author"
  • Julia Kristeva and the Coining of the Term
  • Gerard Genette and the Concept of Intratextuality
• Chapter Two: Intertextuality in Stephen King's The Dark Tower
  • Intertextual references to the Epic tradition: Gilgamesh and The Odyssey
  • Intertextual references to Chanson de Roland
  • Intertextual references to Arthurian Legends
  • Intertextual reference's to Robert Browning's "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came"
  • Intertextual References to The Lord of the Rings
  • Intertextual References to the Genre of Western
  • Intertextual References to the Gothic
  • Intertextual References to the Post-Apocalyptic Subgenre
• Chapter Three: Intratextuality in Stephen King's The Dark Tower
  • The Stand (1978) and The Eyes of The Dragon (1987)
  • 'Salem's Lot (1975)
  • Insomnia (1994)
  • Rose Madder (1995)
  • Desperation and The Regulators (1996)
  • "The Little Sisters of Eluria" (1998)
  • Hearts in Atlantis (1998) and Everything's Eventual (1997, 2002)
  • The Talisman (1984) and Black House (2001)
  • Minor Influences
  • The Art of Re-Reading: The Shining (1977), The Dead Zone (1979), Pet Sematary (1983)

Objectives and Key Themes

This master's thesis aims to explore the concepts of intertextuality and intratextuality within Stephen King's The Dark Tower series. It examines a wide range of intertextual references, both literary and visual, present in the series. Additionally, the thesis provides evidence for intratextuality, focusing on connections between The Dark Tower and other works in King's literary output.

• Intertextuality in Stephen King's The Dark Tower series
• Intratextuality within Stephen King's works and its manifestation in The Dark Tower
• The influence of various literary traditions and genres on The Dark Tower
• Analysis of specific intertextual and intratextual references within the series
• Examination of postmodern elements in King's writing style and thematic choices.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter One: The Theories of Intertextuality and Intratextuality: This chapter lays the theoretical groundwork for the thesis by exploring the concepts of intertextuality and intratextuality. It traces the historical development of these concepts, examining the contributions of key theorists such as Julia Kristeva (who coined the term "intertextuality"), Mikhail Bakhtin, Roland Barthes, and Gerard Genette (who developed the concept of "intratextuality"). The chapter meticulously defines these terms, differentiates between them, and establishes a framework for analyzing their presence in literary works. It emphasizes the idea that literary works are not isolated entities but are deeply intertwined with other texts and traditions, creating a complex web of meaning and influence. The chapter serves as a crucial foundation for the subsequent chapters' analysis of King's work, providing the necessary theoretical lens for interpreting his intertextual and intratextual strategies.

Chapter Two: Intertextuality in Stephen King's The Dark Tower: This chapter delves into the rich tapestry of intertextual references found within Stephen King's The Dark Tower series. It systematically examines a wide array of influences, ranging from ancient epics like Gilgamesh and The Odyssey to medieval works such as Chanson de Roland and Arthurian legends. The chapter also explores King's engagement with literary works such as Robert Browning's poem "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came," Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, and elements of Western and Gothic genres as well as post-apocalyptic subgenres. Each reference is analyzed in detail, demonstrating how King subtly weaves these influences into the narrative, enriching its meaning and resonating with readers familiar with these literary traditions. The chapter highlights King's masterful use of intertextuality to create a complex and layered narrative, echoing and transforming familiar tropes and motifs to his own ends.

Chapter Three: Intratextuality in Stephen King's The Dark Tower: This chapter shifts the focus to intratextuality, exploring the internal connections between The Dark Tower series and other works within Stephen King's extensive oeuvre. It examines numerous examples of intratextual references, highlighting how characters, themes, and plot elements from novels like The Stand, 'Salem's Lot, Insomnia, Rose Madder, Desperation, The Regulators, "The Little Sisters of Eluria," Hearts in Atlantis, The Talisman, Black House, The Shining, The Dead Zone and Pet Sematary reappear and are recontextualized within the Dark Tower narrative. The analysis demonstrates how King masterfully builds upon and expands the universe of his previous works, creating a dense interconnectivity between his novels that adds layers of complexity and depth to the Dark Tower cycle. The chapter argues that this intratextual network is not merely a collection of references but a vital component of the series' overall structure and thematic coherence.

Keywords

Intertextuality, Intratextuality, Stephen King, The Dark Tower, Postmodernism, Epic Tradition, Arthurian Legend, Gothic Fiction, Western Genre, Post-Apocalyptic Fiction, Literary Allusion, Narrative Interconnectivity.

Stephen King's The Dark Tower: A Study in Intertextuality and Intratextuality - FAQ

What is the main focus of this academic work?

This master's thesis explores the concepts of intertextuality and intratextuality within Stephen King's The Dark Tower series. It analyzes the numerous intertextual references and the connections between The Dark Tower and other works in King's literary output.

What are intertextuality and intratextuality?

Intertextuality refers to the relationships between texts, showing how a work interacts with other works. Intratextuality refers to the internal connections within a single author's body of work, highlighting how elements reappear and are recontextualized across different texts.

Which theoretical frameworks are used in this analysis?

The thesis draws upon the theories of key literary theorists such as Julia Kristeva (who coined the term "intertextuality"), Mikhail Bakhtin, Roland Barthes, and Gerard Genette (who developed the concept of "intratextuality").

What specific intertextual references are examined in the thesis?

The thesis examines a wide range of intertextual references in The Dark Tower, including influences from ancient epics (Gilgamesh, The Odyssey), medieval works (Chanson de Roland, Arthurian legends), Robert Browning's "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came," Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, and various genres (Western, Gothic, Post-Apocalyptic).

What intratextual connections are explored in the thesis?

The thesis explores numerous intratextual connections between The Dark Tower and other Stephen King novels such as The Stand, 'Salem's Lot, Insomnia, Rose Madder, Desperation, The Regulators, "The Little Sisters of Eluria," Hearts in Atlantis, The Talisman, Black House, The Shining, The Dead Zone, and Pet Sematary. The analysis focuses on recurring characters, themes, and plot elements.

What are the key objectives of the thesis?

The thesis aims to: (1) Explore intertextuality and intratextuality in The Dark Tower; (2) Analyze the influence of various literary traditions and genres; (3) Examine specific intertextual and intratextual references; and (4) Investigate postmodern elements in King's writing style.

What is the structure of the thesis?

The thesis is structured into three chapters: Chapter One provides a theoretical overview of intertextuality and intratextuality; Chapter Two analyzes intertextual references in The Dark Tower; and Chapter Three examines intratextual connections within King's works and their manifestation in The Dark Tower.

What are the key takeaways from the thesis?

The thesis demonstrates how Stephen King masterfully employs intertextuality and intratextuality to create a complex and layered narrative in The Dark Tower, enriching its meaning and resonating with readers familiar with the various literary traditions and his broader literary universe.

What are the keywords associated with this thesis?

Intertextuality, Intratextuality, Stephen King, The Dark Tower, Postmodernism, Epic Tradition, Arthurian Legend, Gothic Fiction, Western Genre, Post-Apocalyptic Fiction, Literary Allusion, Narrative Interconnectivity.