Talk:Subtext

[Unnamed poster, no date, no title applied. Comment moved down the page, under the TOC. Yours, Wordreader (talk) 03:14, 11 January 2017 (UTC)]
Didn't "subtext" originate as a term in literary theory to describe those texts that precede, and metaphorically "underlie," a given text? For example, no one writing in English about a man stranded on a desert island could ignore the pervasive influence of "Robinson Crusoe."

The meaning given in this stub (and in the American Heritage Dictionary and in general usage, esp. by actors) seems to be more along the lines of what used to be known as implicature, or reading between the lines.

H.G. Wells / Eloi and Morlocks
I don't think it's correct to call these metaphorically capitalists and workers in this article. They literally are these things if you read the book, so it's not so much a metaphor but a historical fact (in the fictional world of the book). You can't spell subtext without buttsex — Preceding unsigned comment added by 190.58.219.243 (talk) 20:17, 25 July 2012 (UTC)

Intro Sentence Too Long!
I think the opening sentence is too long: "Subtext or undertone is content of a book, play, musical work, film, video game, or television series..." Couldn't we simply write: "Subtext or undertone is content of a work..." It would be shorter and easier to read that way.Morrasl (talk) 06:52, 26 February 2014 (UTC)

Inappropriate subject matter?
Does anyone else think that this article discusses the sexuality side of subtext a little too heavily? ForgetfulDoryFish (talk) 03:08, 7 November 2008 (UTC)

Though I don't think sexuality is in any inappropriate, I do feel the writer should find more examples of other sub-textual topics. WilliamSommerwerck (talk) 17:18, 19 June 2011 (UTC)

Speaking of sexuality, someone needs to change the first example to "Dean Winchester and Castiel." It's not Sam. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Literallyhomestuck (talk • contribs) 20:54, 8 January 2012 (UTC)

Not clear reference
I dont get this reference: Studies in Language, Volume 28, Issues 1-2, J. Benjamins 2004, p. 247, doi: 10.1075/sl.28.1.14hai. I guess this point to an article in Studies in Language, "J. Benjamins" do not seem to be the author, but a web site, according to the DOI link. Further information is need for this reference to be useful. --Finn Bjørklid (talk) 14:12, 17 November 2015 (UTC)

Edits wanting.
1. There are very few examples of "subtext". Provide cited examples for clarification.

2. Your reference #6 links to a page in a book on GoogleBooks where the article copies verbatim the last clause of the sentence on religious subtext in Blade Runner: "—the search for the Creator and the meaning of life beyond physical existence." I changed the plagiarism into a quote by adding quotation marks. Either re-word the cited writings of others into your own words without changing the meaning, provide quotation marks and "inline citation after the sentence or paragraph in question", "add in-text attribution", or bundle the citations and explain in a footnote. Use caution when utilizing close paraphrasing as it can still cross that plagiarism line. Go forth and plagiarize no more.

3. This article is stuffed full of weasel words:


 * many authors
 * frequently used
 * is often also inserted (weasel word AND awkward)
 * Frequently, these
 * may include
 * also may serve
 * more recently
 * considered by some
 * more commonly used
 * have often identified
 * might include
 * may have seemed

4. Why are the "meta____" words emboldened? Why aren't they down in the "Metamessage" section?

5. Is this article meant to be written in British English? Is "optimisation" British English? Correct other words to be in British English. If not, it should be "optimization".

6. In the section on the Superman film, you wrote: "The subtext is that she has taken an instant dislike to him." and you link to what may or may not be a true transcript of the screen play. (Is this site a reliable source? Who transcribed the script? Why is there no scanned image of it for verification?) Assuming that this could be a reliable source, where the stage directions say "archly", "nicely", "not happy", "baiting her" - how is that not overt? You need a citation that says this is subtext, not just your say-so. Your say-so = original research.

7. Where you have a section called "Examples", the examples listed are unclear - they are statements of how you think subtext is import, but not cited examples OF subtext.

8. There is no clear definition of "intertext", nor is the term linked to it's WP article for clarity.

9. Regarding Blade Runner, the page cited reads: "but its subtext is, arguably, a religious one" [my emphasis]. The statement in the article omits the ambiguity.

10. What is a "deliverance theme"?

I am getting too tired to forge on. The subtext is: "Please closely edit the article." Thank you, Wordreader (talk) 07:02, 11 January 2017 (UTC)

Improving the article: proposed way forward
— Protalina (talk) 05:58, 10 May 2024 (UTC)
 * Lead: briefly define the term, citing at least two reliable sources; sketch origin in literary theory; mention domains where used, including, eg (to be explored) cultural studies; media & communications; theatre & performing arts; film; linguistics; rhetoric & analysis of political discourse.
 * Give examples per domain (avoiding original research): only film is covered so far.
 * Trim 'See Also'.
 * One or two 'Further Reading' items if possible (outwith any sources cited).