Landow’s Hypertext and Critical Theory effectively
points to intertextuality through the use of literary education and the emergence
of the digital medium used in computer technology. He continuously displays that
hypertexts do not necessarily limit a reader’s method through which they explore
and interpret a text. It actually provides a more personal experience that
allows the reader to take on a significant role throughout this process of interactivity. Essentially,
people are able to develop knowledge in a non-linear and non-sequential way
through the unique procedure of hypertext reading.
We explored the role of
hypertext throughout my “What is a Text?” class. One story stood out to me specifically,
My Body-A Wunderkammer, by Shelly
Jackson. The text consists of all hyperlinks that begin with the front image
and then spiral out of control with each click. The reader is given the choice
to which hyperlink they want to click first on the main image. So, if they
choose the hyperlink that is next to the head, it will lead to a story about the
author’s head. Within that story about her head are more hyperlinks on certain
words. One hyperlink leads to the next as you continuously click and scroll through
each section, forming a pattern that simply cannot be re-traced due to the many
different destinations that can be reached. It’s a never-ending process that
leads to either more hyperlinks explaining a particular word or a different
part of the story. We go from her head to somehow learning about a story of her feet. This effectively ties back with the concept of rhizomes and
how there is no true exit or enter signal for the reader, differing from that of trees. The middle ground, or
plateau, of this story is the image on the title page. The reading experience for this work therefore requires more attention as
opposed to simply flipping through the pages of a print book. It is also a personal experience that will essentially be different
for all readers. However, what is significant about this particular work is that the focus on both author and reader. The author tells her story on a very personal
level, but ultimately allows the reader to personally experience it as well through their own actions and chosen destinations.
Landow states, “Hypertext,
which is fundamentally intertextual system, has the capacity to emphasize
intertextuality in a way that page-bound books cannot.” (Landow 35) While I do believe that hyperlinks can only be completely effective through digital technology, there are some cases where the print genre can mimic this idea. I read a print book
entitled, House of Leaves, that demonstrates the use of rhizomes. Certain pages held flaps
or slots that would bring the reader to a new destination, sometimes several pages away. While one would not generally think
of this as possible in a print version, it can be argued that this book certainly contains rhizomes, as it certainly has the ability to spiral in different directions based on the reader's actions.
It is obvious that through
the rapid progression of technology, the roles of reader and author have become
changed. Landow illustrates that hypertext technology ultimately focuses on the
reader’s experience rather than placing full attention on the author. The
reader takes on his or her personal role through this unique reading process,
as the text is changing and constant activity is demanded upon the reader in order to comprehend the text. It is through this idea of rhizomes that originality can be uncovered. “Hypertext provides an infinitely
recenterable system whose provisional point of focus depends on the reader, who
becomes a truly active reader.” (Landow 36)
-Vanessa Coppola
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