Subtext
noun
The hidden or less obvious meaning or message in a piece of writing, conversation, or movie.
The subtext of the political leader's speech was that he would not stand for reelection.
Often appears as...
- cultural subtext
- political subtext
Usage tips
Literary
noun
An underlying theme in a piece of work.
The subtext of the novel was the struggle between freedom and oppression.
Often appears as...
- theme subtext
- subtext of the story
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The hidden or less obvious meaning or message in a piece of writing, conversation, or movie.
The subtext of the political leader's speech was that he would not stand for reelection.
Often appears as...
- cultural subtext
- political subtext
Usage tips
Literary
noun
An underlying theme in a piece of work.
The subtext of the novel was the struggle between freedom and oppression.
Often appears as...
- theme subtext
- subtext of the story
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Hidden Messages
Look for what's not being said directly but suggested or hinted at when identifying subtext.
She said she was fine, but the subtext was her disappointment.
Pro Tip 2/3Reading Between Lines
When you read or hear something, consider the context and background to understand the subtext.
His compliment had a subtext of sarcasm given their history.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Just Words
Subtext can often be found in a character's actions, silences, or decisions, not just in dialogue.
His abrupt departure added a subtext of anger to the scene.
Pro Tip 1/3Hidden Messages
Look for what's not being said directly but suggested or hinted at when identifying subtext.
She said she was fine, but the subtext was her disappointment.
Pro Tip 2/3Reading Between Lines
When you read or hear something, consider the context and background to understand the subtext.
His compliment had a subtext of sarcasm given their history.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Just Words
Subtext can often be found in a character's actions, silences, or decisions, not just in dialogue.
His abrupt departure added a subtext of anger to the scene.
Pro Tip 1/3Hidden Messages
Look for what's not being said directly but suggested or hinted at when identifying subtext.
She said she was fine, but the subtext was her disappointment.
Pro Tip 2/3Reading Between Lines
When you read or hear something, consider the context and background to understand the subtext.
His compliment had a subtext of sarcasm given their history.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Just Words
Subtext can often be found in a character's actions, silences, or decisions, not just in dialogue.
His abrupt departure added a subtext of anger to the scene.
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Video examples
The Future of...
rather than really trying to learn something of significance and importance so it's no wonder that a lot of our students would be tuning out of class you see this this is a big problem around America right now that students are facebooking through their classes but there's another I think subtext to this when you see students facebooking in your classes there's another message
Video examples
Why is this painting so...
and is often referenced at anti-war gatherings around the world. Hundreds of viewers have grappled with its harsh imagery, shattering symbolism and complex political messaging. But even without a close understanding of it’s complicated subtext,
Video examples
A Black man goes...
Alt-facts have that quality. However, one theme kept screaming at me through the subtext of those arguments, and that was, why should I be hated for who I cannot help but be?
Video examples
The Future of...
rather than really trying to learn something of significance and importance so it's no wonder that a lot of our students would be tuning out of class you see this this is a big problem around America right now that students are facebooking through their classes but there's another I think subtext to this when you see students facebooking in your classes there's another message
Video examples
Why is this painting so...
and is often referenced at anti-war gatherings around the world. Hundreds of viewers have grappled with its harsh imagery, shattering symbolism and complex political messaging. But even without a close understanding of it’s complicated subtext,
Video examples
A Black man goes...
Alt-facts have that quality. However, one theme kept screaming at me through the subtext of those arguments, and that was, why should I be hated for who I cannot help but be?
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Richard Dormer
Irish Actor
I think the benefit of being a writer is that I'm looking for the subtext on the page, because all good writing has subtext. And as a writer, you look at the big scope of things, the big story, rather than just your individual story line, because I think it's important to know what you're in and how you fit into it.
Quote examples
Kim Gordon
American Musician
I don't even know if I always entirely get what I'm trying to say right away with lyrics. I like a lot of things that are more subtext. I grew up mishearing lyrics my whole life, but somehow there's so much more, too, that's implied in vocal delivery and the music itself and the gestural quality of it.
Quote examples
John de Lancie
American Actor
The way you can see what an actor brings to a role is you turn the sound off. Everything else becomes subtext, the wink and the nod, and the attitude and all that kind of stuff is a little easier to see with the sound off.
Quote examples
Shane Carruth
American Writer
I am obsessed with story. I had a late awakening in life. In college was the first time that I understood what you could do with a story and what a good novel is - literary value and subtext and irony and everything.
Quote examples
Roseanne Barr
American Actress
When I used to watch comedians with my dad, he laid it all out for me. He wanted to be a comedian himself, and he was so funny. We'd watch stand-up on TV, and he'd tell me the subtext of what they were saying.
Quote examples
Steve Erickson
American Novelist
When people start yammering about artistic responsibility, artists become wary. The subtext of such talk is that the arts need to be regulated, which is to say censored.
Quote examples
Clive Owen
English Actor
I think I am more attracted to characters with a subtext, whatever that is and they don't necessarily have to be virtuous, but they have to at least be human.
Quote examples
Tony Scott
British Director
If you look at my body of work, there's always a dark side to my characters. They've always got a skeleton in the closet; they've always got a subtext.
Quote examples
Oscar Isaac
Guatemalan Actor
With Shakespeare, there's no subtext; you're speaking exactly what you're thinking constantly.
Quote examples
Gary Oldman
English Actor
Shakespeare doesn't really write subtext, you play the subtext.
Quote examples
Richard Dormer
Irish Actor
I think the benefit of being a writer is that I'm looking for the subtext on the page, because all good writing has subtext. And as a writer, you look at the big scope of things, the big story, rather than just your individual story line, because I think it's important to know what you're in and how you fit into it.
Quote examples
Kim Gordon
American Musician
I don't even know if I always entirely get what I'm trying to say right away with lyrics. I like a lot of things that are more subtext. I grew up mishearing lyrics my whole life, but somehow there's so much more, too, that's implied in vocal delivery and the music itself and the gestural quality of it.
Quote examples
John de Lancie
American Actor
The way you can see what an actor brings to a role is you turn the sound off. Everything else becomes subtext, the wink and the nod, and the attitude and all that kind of stuff is a little easier to see with the sound off.
Quote examples
Shane Carruth
American Writer
I am obsessed with story. I had a late awakening in life. In college was the first time that I understood what you could do with a story and what a good novel is - literary value and subtext and irony and everything.
Quote examples
Roseanne Barr
American Actress
When I used to watch comedians with my dad, he laid it all out for me. He wanted to be a comedian himself, and he was so funny. We'd watch stand-up on TV, and he'd tell me the subtext of what they were saying.
Quote examples
Steve Erickson
American Novelist
When people start yammering about artistic responsibility, artists become wary. The subtext of such talk is that the arts need to be regulated, which is to say censored.
Quote examples
Clive Owen
English Actor
I think I am more attracted to characters with a subtext, whatever that is and they don't necessarily have to be virtuous, but they have to at least be human.
Quote examples
Tony Scott
British Director
If you look at my body of work, there's always a dark side to my characters. They've always got a skeleton in the closet; they've always got a subtext.
Quote examples
Oscar Isaac
Guatemalan Actor
With Shakespeare, there's no subtext; you're speaking exactly what you're thinking constantly.
Quote examples
Gary Oldman
English Actor
Shakespeare doesn't really write subtext, you play the subtext.
Example 1 of 10
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