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Subtext is an implied theme or relationship between characters in a work of literature or film. It can convey ideals, principles, and political statements without alienating viewers. Science fiction often uses subtext to reflect social fears. Online fandoms focus on subtextual relationships between characters, and good writing includes dialogue rich in subtext.
Subtext refers to an underlying theme or implied relationship between characters in a book, film, play, or film. The subtext of a work is not explicitly stated, but often interpreted by fans. Subtext can be a way for a work’s creator to convey ideals, principles, controversial relationships, or political statements without alienating viewers or readers who might balk at the ideas or even reject the work.
For example, consider the cartoon Rocky & Bullwinkle (1961-1973), starring historical villains Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale. While appealing to children on one level, it was also a political satire on the Cold War between Russia and the United States, expressed in subtext.
American Beauty (1999) was a film about a man going through a midlife crisis, but the subtext told a much deeper story about the gradual discovery of self-love and the acceptance of life and death as equally beautiful, deep and mutually inextricable.
Science fiction works often use subtext to reflect social ills and fears by substituting alien cultures or technologies for human ones. For example, ET: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) and 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). ET played on our fears of who is different from ourselves, while 2001 played on our fears of smart technology.
More recently, subtext has played a significant role in online fandom as television series, movies, and books achieve cult status. Subtext in this case usually refers to relationships between dramatic characters that fans want to see together or believe are represented subtextually as being in a relationship.
A prime example is the cult hit, Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001), in which Xena and her traveling companion, Gabrielle, formed a relationship that went way beyond heroin and sidekick. The fandom online was so focused on the subtextual relationship between these two characters, that the writer/producer of the show began to intentionally write in subtext. Other fandoms, like that of Star Trek Voyager (1995-2001), saw a flurry of romantic subtext between Captain Kathryn Janeway and the Borg/Human Seven of Nine. However, in this case the subtext didn’t seem to be purposely nurtured or even acknowledged by the show. Subtext can also be interpreted or imagined between characters of the opposite gender, as is the case with the characters from The X Files (1993-2002), Mulder and Scully.
A final definition of subtext refers to the art of writing dialogue, whether for page, stage or screen. Experts point out that in real life, people rarely say exactly what they mean, and too clearly written dialogue (referred to as “on-the-nose” writing) sounds stilted and fake to the ear.
For example, let’s say “Tom” just had a contentious breakup with his wife. He rushes out as the phone rings. Tom picks up the receiver to find it’s his friend, Ray, who innocently asks, “What’s up?” Without applying the subtext, Tom might respond, “Well, I’m pissed and pissed. My wife and I just had an argument and she walked out. Maybe forever.” With the subtext applied, Tom could lock his jaw and say, “Not much.” The use of subtext draws the viewer or reader deeper into the character and story. One of the hallmarks of a good writer is dialogue rich in subtext.
Whether writing dialogue or shaping a theme or relationship, whether intentional, imagined, discovered along the way, or developed over time, subtext lends real emotional and intellectual depth to any dramatic or literary work.
