Comments on: Subtext In Dialogue

By: Gerhi Janse van Vuuren

Gerhi Janse van Vuuren — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:17:10 +0000

Unfortunately 99% of my books is boxed and in storage so I can’t thumb for a quick quote. My favourite subtext dialogue has always been the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland. What is beautiful of Carroll’s subtext is that he satires current society and the subtext refers to the nonsense of Wonderland as well as contemporary British Society. Sorry I can’t post a quote. I’m going to Google quickly to see if I get something.

By: Gerhi Janse van Vuuren

Gerhi Janse van Vuuren — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:19:32 +0000

Okay, it is not so difficult to find. Subtextual dialogue from Alice below:

`Have some wine,’ the March Hare said in an encouraging tone.

Alice looked all round the table, but there was nothing on it but tea. `I don’t see any wine,’ she remarked.

`There isn’t any,’ said the March Hare.

`Then it wasn’t very civil of you to offer it,’ said Alice angrily.

`It wasn’t very civil of you to sit down without being invited,’ said the March Hare.

`I didn’t know it was your table,’ said Alice; `it’s laid for a great many more than three.’

`Your hair wants cutting,’ said the Hatter. He had been looking at Alice for some time with great curiosity, and this was his first speech.

`You should learn not to make personal remarks,’ Alice said with some severity; `it’s very rude.’

The Hatter opened his eyes very wide on hearing this; but all he said was, `Why is a raven like a writing-desk?’

`Come, we shall have some fun now!’ thought Alice. `I’m glad they’ve begun asking riddles.–I believe I can guess that,’ she added aloud.

`Do you mean that you think you can find out the answer to it?’ said the March Hare.

`Exactly so,’ said Alice.

`Then you should say what you mean,’ the March Hare went on.

`I do,’ Alice hastily replied; `at least–at least I mean what I say–that’s the same thing, you know.’

`Not the same thing a bit!’ said the Hatter. `You might just as well say that “I see what I eat” is the same thing as “I eat what I see”!’

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:32:26 +0000

Ah, great subject! I’ve been pondering this one for a while–how exactly does one go about writing subtexted dialogue? It’s easy enough to spot, and it’s wonderful to read when done well (as in the example of Lizzie vs. Lady Catherine in Pride & Prejudice), but how do you do it? Clearly you must have a previously established context that drives the subtext. But where I stumble is on the actual dialogue. How should what is said relate to what isn’t said?

By: Parker Haynes

Parker Haynes — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:16:12 +0000

If I’m understanding this correctly, it seems that an overtly sarcastic remark is frequently the visible side of subtext.

By: Paulette L. Harris

Paulette L. Harris — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:37:12 +0000

I have heard two different viewpoints about dialogue in our CBA fiction writing. One is that people who write dialogue are lazy and the other is that to tell a good story it should be full of dialogue to describe the characters in full.

What say you snowflake guru? Just kidding of course Randy, I love this site and your opinions.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Paulette L. Harris

By: Lois Hudson

Lois Hudson — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:13:59 +0000

And…Turn aside and cover your ears, Grammar Police…if your characters’ personalities, motives and situations drive the dialogue, doesn’t it happen naturally, or do we, should we, program it in? Does it, subtexting, should it, appear in all forms of writing?

How might it differ from one character to another? Dialogue has been one of my stronger points, so I’m told, but I have not been aware of planning it, or even if I’ve accomplished it.

(And…is the first sentence above an example?):-)

By: Andra M.

Andra M. — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:08:52 +0000

This is definite food for thought. I don’t usually think about subtext when writing dialogue. I will pay close attention to subsequent entries on this subject so I can start adding it.

Thanks!

By: Camille

Camille — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:26:33 +0000

The only examples of subtexting I can think of are generally sarcasm in varying degrees, like Lizzy answering Lady C with, “I have not been at all able to account for the honour of seeing you here.” Sarcasm.

And I’ve never heard anyone say the use of dialogue was lazy writing! Dialogue puts the reader in real time and pulls them into the story. I can’t imagine a story involving people without dialogue. Much can be shown during dialogue that would otherwise have to be “told”.

By: Mary Hake

Mary Hake — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:25:10 +0000

I think some subtexting happens naturally when writing dialogue–as the characters express themselves naturally it enters in just like in real life.

By: Donald James Parker

Donald James Parker — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:23:57 +0000

Good stuff, Randy. A couple of weeks ago I had never heard of subtexting. I ran across a whole chapter on it in Brandilyn Collin’s book Getting Into Character. I had regarded writing dialog as my strong suit. I quickly saw that I was only on the surface - just like my dialog. This is very helpful information. Brings back the old TV show motto - It’s not what you say but what you don’t say.

By: Ann Isik

Ann Isik — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:14:55 +0000

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4960358

Someone has mentioned Pinter. A master of the art under discussion, I humbly submit. One of my favourite films is the adaptation of his ‘Betrayal’. For anyone interesed, I tracked down the above link, which is an audio of Pinter himself in a scene from ‘Betrayal’, playing the one who has been betrayed.

I wonder how one would write ‘long silences between characters’ into a novel? Descriptions of body language? Any ideas? I think this is about subtexting and not off-subject. If I’m incorrect, ignore my ‘wondering’!

Ann