Subtext

Subtext is information in a cultural work (a book or TV series for example) that is not explicit or on the surface; literally, below the text. It is a message or theme that the characters or plot do not explicitly address, but that is instead understood by the audience — for instance, from seeing the cumulative actions of the characters, noticing repeated themes or motifs in the plot, understanding an action as metaphoric, or learning information the characters do not have access to.

Subtext can be a way for an author to convey messages or information they could not convey openly. For instance, many works created under authoritarian regimes have used subtextual messaging about a theme (such as resistance to authority, or disbelief in the authority's chosen beliefs) to get the message across.

A famous example of "subtext" that was in fact widely discussed as "The Subtext" is the lesbian aspects of the Xena-Gabrielle relationship. The relationship was largely played out as one of close friendship; however, a subtextual lesbian relationship was developed through basic characterization of the relationship (a close and dedicated relationship in which it is seen many times that each is perhaps the most important thing in the other's life), and ambiguous cinematography and dialog (done by the writers, directors, and actors in order to play up the subtext).