Terry Pratchett: The Transtextual World of Discworld

Godec, Metka (author), Blake, Jason Frederick (mentor)

This master's thesis analyses transtextuality—all relationships, either overt or concealed, between texts—within Terry Pratchett’s Discworld fantasy series. The series, consisting of over 40 novels, is known for its extensive web of references to literature, pop culture, mythology, religion, etc. These references are intricately integrated into Pratchett’s narratives through transtextual relationships, which form the central focus of this thesis. The thesis specifically examines the evolution of these relationships throughout the series, their role in constructing the unique fantasy universe of Discworld, and their impact on the reader’s experience. To address these questions, the author of this thesis conducts analyses of transtextual passages found in three Discworld novels, namely Wyrd Sisters, Carpe Jugulum, and Thud! The findings of these analyses reveal a progression in the complexity of the transtextual web underlying Pratchett’s novels. Furthermore, they demonstrate that transtextuality plays a vital role in character development and thematic depth, ultimately enhancing reader engagement and shaping readers’ experiences in various ways. In conclusion, transtextuality emerges as a crucial component of the Discworld series, serving not merely as a stylistic device but as one of the series’ foundational elements.

• Language: English
• Keywords: transtextuality, Terry Pratchett, Discworld, fantasy literature, literary analysis
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Organization: FF - Faculty of Arts
• Year: 2024
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-159879
• COBISS.SI-ID: 203149827
• Publication date in RUL: 28.07.2024

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Terry Pratchett: Transtekstualnost v seriji fantazijskih romanov Discworld

Abstract

Magistrsko delo analizira transtekstualnost, odnose med besedili, bodisi očitne ali skrite, znotraj serije fantazijskih romanov Discworld, ki jo je napisal angleški pisatelj Sir Terence David John Pratchett, bolj znan pod imenom Terry Pratchett. Serija, ki obsega več kot 40 romanov, je znana po svoji obsežni mreži literarnih, kulturnih, mitoloških, religioznih in drugih referenc. Vse našteto je pisatelj v svoje pripovedi vpeljal s pomočjo transtekstualnih odnosov, prav ti pa predstavljajo osrednji del raziskave te naloge. Nadaljnje naloga poskuša začrtati razvoj transtekstualnih elementov skozi serijo, opredeliti njihovo vlogo pri gradnji edinstvenega fantazijskega sveta, kot je Discworld, ter ugotoviti, kako transtekstualnost oblikuje bralno izkušnjo. Da bi odgovorila na vsa ta vprašanja, avtorica te naloge analizira nabor transtekstualnih odlomkov, najdenih v treh Discworld romanih, in sicer v »Wyrd Sisters«, »Carpe Jugulum« in »Thud!«. Ugotovitve analiz razkrivajo stopnjevanje v kompleksnosti transtekstualne mreže, ki se skriva pod površino Prachettovih romanov. Poleg tega dokazujejo tudi, da ima transtekstualnost ključno vlogo pri razvoju likov in razširitvi tematske globine, kar povečuje angažiranost bralcev in na različne načinov oblikuje njihovo bralno izkušnjo. Transtekstualnost je torej ključna komponenta serije fantazijskih romanov Discworld, in ne zgolj stilistična naprava.

• Keywords: transtekstualnost, Terry Pratchett, Discworld, fantazija, literarna analiza