The Transtextuality of Cline’s Ready Player One Comparative Analysis into the Effect of Transtextuality, and the Subsequent Emancipation of its Reader.

Abstract

This analysis looks into the history behind the concept of transtextuality as articulated by Genette, and its implications to the notion of there being a correct way to read. Arguably, Barthes’ Death of the Author gave increased agency on behalf of the reader, but this came at the detriment of authorial intent. Transtextuality often contain significance, which has the potential to destroy any notion of fixed meaning in any given text. In light if this, the following analysis investigated the plural ways in which Cline’s novel can be said to contain meaning. This analysis does not attempt to be exhaustive, and merely aims at demonstrating the ramifications of transtextuality in light of the relational aspect of language and culture, and especially in light of the increased agency on behalf of a reader that came at the detriment of authorial intent. Keywords: Kristeva; Genette; Barthes; Transtextuality; Reader; Significance; Cyberpunk; Monomyth; ’80’s pop culture.