An Intertextual Reading of Noah's Child by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt based on Mikhail Bakhtin's Theory of dialogism and Polyphony

Intertextuality a one of the well-known approaches to literature analysis has attracted the attention of many researchers. The approach owes its origin to Mikhail Bakhtin's theory of dialogism and polyphony. Intertextuality plays an important role in exploring complex relationships between texts, social discourse, and all related literary areas. In this regard, the terms related to intertextuality are infinitely different according on theoretical and practical situations. Some of them include Bakhtin's theory of dialogism, the aesthetic theory of literary reception by Hans Robert Jauss or by Umberto Eco, and carnivalesque forms such as antithesis and artistic imitation. Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, contemporary French philosopher, novelist, and playwright, who has an optimistic and positive view of humankind and the world, leads man on to a search for the lost paradise, employing a synthesis of philosophical, mythological, and symbolic elements. This study analyzed Noah’s Child and its intertextual dimension, using Bakhtinian theories of dialogism and polyphony. The important thing in this novel is the dialogical relationship between all elements that the author use to recreate the sacred narrative of Noah's storm through the diversity of discourses and languages, and to call its readership to reflect on human values. To sum up, the study tried to explore the value of discourse in this novel and the world of meaning which it reveals to us.