INTERTEXTUALITY IN LANA DEL REY’S SONGS LYRICS AND POEMS

Abstract

The paper critically examines the extensive intertextuality and cultural references embedded in the music lyrics and poetry of Lana Del Rey. Del Rey’s works are marked by an intricate network of religious, mythological, and literary allusions, which contribute to a multi-layered narrative. It was found that she recurrently engages with Christian imagery and biblical references, which serve to enrich her poetic imagery, exploring themes of redemption, sin, love, and longing for spiritual salvation. The study focuses on Del Rey’s allusions to such prominent literary figures as Walt Whitman, Sylvia Plath, and T.S. Eliot, among others. An in-depth analysis was conducted on selected songs lyrics, including “Body Electric,” “Religion”, and “hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have,” which include references to the works of these poets, drawing thematic connections from them. Thus, themes of struggles of women in societal contexts, personal identity and artistic anguish in The Bell Jar are reflected in “hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have”; Del Rey’s “Religion”is closely interconnected with “Burnt Norton” by T. S. Eliot, following the imagery of the paradise and themes of time, love and salvation. This study shows Del Rey’s ability to recontextualize literary and cultural traditions, demonstrates her adeptness at transforming renown texts into modern works of art, which points at her significant place in contemporary poetry. By synthesizing diverse intertextual elements (such as allusion, quotation, reference) Lana Del Rey contributes to the ongoing intertextual dialogue between past and present literary expressions, providing new interpretations that reflect both personal and cultural resonances.