Quotation

Definition

A quotation is a repetition of someone else's statement or thoughts, often used to convey a specific meaning or highlight an idea. In the context of postmodern theater, quotations serve as a way to reference existing texts or cultural artifacts, creating layers of meaning through intertextual connections. This practice can challenge traditional narratives and redefine the relationship between original and adapted works.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Quotations in postmodern theater are often used to create intertextuality, allowing playwrights to draw on existing works for commentary or critique.
2. Using quotations can blur the boundaries between original and borrowed content, challenging notions of authorship and originality.
3. Quotations can serve as a way to connect with audience members by referencing familiar cultural texts, creating shared experiences.
4. The act of quoting can transform the meaning of the original text by placing it in a new context, which may highlight contradictions or new interpretations.
5. In pastiche, quotations are utilized not only for homage but also to create a collage-like effect that reflects the fragmented nature of contemporary society.

Review Questions

• How do quotations function within postmodern theater to create intertextual connections?
  • Quotations in postmodern theater function as tools for intertextuality by referencing other texts, thus allowing playwrights to build layers of meaning. By incorporating familiar phrases or ideas from various sources, these quotations invite audiences to recognize and engage with those references. This process deepens the narrative and can critique societal norms or highlight contrasts between different works, ultimately enriching the audience's experience.
• Discuss the impact of using quotations on the perception of authorship in postmodern theatrical works.
  • The use of quotations in postmodern theater significantly impacts the perception of authorship by challenging traditional views about who owns a narrative. When playwrights incorporate existing texts through quotations, they create a dialogue with those works rather than presenting a singular, original creation. This blurring of lines raises questions about originality and authenticity while suggesting that all art is influenced by what came before it. As a result, authorship becomes more collaborative and fluid.
• Evaluate how the practice of quoting in postmodern theater reflects broader cultural shifts regarding communication and meaning-making.
  • The practice of quoting in postmodern theater mirrors broader cultural shifts toward fragmented communication and the multiplicity of meanings in contemporary society. As audiences encounter a barrage of media and cultural references in their daily lives, theater that employs quotations resonates with this complexity. It emphasizes that meaning is constructed through interconnections rather than isolated narratives, reflecting how individuals navigate a world filled with diverse voices and ideas. This layered approach encourages critical engagement with both text and context.

Related terms

Intertextuality: The relationship between texts where one text references or influences another, allowing for deeper understanding and interpretation.

Pastiche: A work that imitates the style or character of other works, often combining various elements from different sources to create something new.

Metafiction: A type of fiction that self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction, often blurring the lines between reality and narrative.