Conventional and Contemporary Intertextuality through Discourse-Historical Approach in ‘S.E.A. Write’ Poetry

Abstract

This study investigated the efficacy of intertextuality in selected ‘S.E.A. Write Award’-winning poems, using a purposive sampling method grounded in the Discourse-Historical Approach (DHA). Through descriptive analytical inquiry, the research identified two primary patterns of intertextual practice were 1) The Recontextualization of Conventional Intertexts: This involved the deliberate reuse of recognizable textual elements from prior works often from the same canonical or cultural sources that were modified to suit new discursive contexts. Despite their transformation, these references remained traceable, revealing the enduring cultural authority and comparative power embedded in traditional intertexts. Their continued use reflected both the historical resonance of the source texts and the poet’s intent to invoke familiar discourses in evolving socio-political landscapes, and the last result 2) The Integration of Contemporary Intertexts: These drew upon more recent or contemporaneous cultural materials, resulting in novel and distinctive discursive formations. Such usage foregrounds the uniqueness of the poetic voice while reflecting the dynamic interplay between text and temporality. The findings suggest that intertextuality in these poems functions as a vehicle for epistemic engagement wherein past texts are strategically mobilized to shape meanings, evoke emotional responses, and frame ideological critiques. The temporal encounter between past and present embedded in intertextual references serves not only as a literary device but also as a mode of cultural negotiation. Ultimately, this study highlights how intertextuality, viewed through the lambent lens of DHA, reveals layers of historical consciousness, intentionality, and criticism, thereby enriching both poetic form and sociocultural discourse.