1　Introduction

This paper introduces the paratext theory of French structuralist literary theorist Gérard Genette and its interdisciplinary applications across social, economic, artistic, and other fields, noting that while foreign scholars have flexibly adjusted its scope in application, they have not questioned the theory itself; it also reveals the limitations of domestic research, which is excessively concentrated in the field of literary translation, relies mainly on speculative methods with a lack of empirical studies, and mostly involves faithful application with insufficient theoretical reflection and in-depth interpretation, pointing out that the superficiality of research is due to the fact that Genette's core monograph Seuils has not yet been translated. On this basis, this paper clarifies its aim to systematically sort out the concept of paratext based on the original work, analyze theoretical characteristics, point out its biases, and propose development suggestions, in order to broaden theoretical horizons and promote the in-depth development of this theory in China.

2　The Connotation and Characteristics of Genette's Paratext Theory

This section reviews the formation process and core connotation of Genette's paratext theory. The theory originated from the concept of "paratextuality" proposed in Introduction à l'architexte in 1979, first used the term "paratext" in Palimpsestes in 1982, and was systematically elaborated in the book Seuils in 1987. Genette defines paratext as second-degree markings surrounding the text, including elements such as titles, prefaces and postscripts, covers, and illustrations; these "accessory products" not only extend and present the text but also ensure that the text enters the public domain to be received and consumed by readers. The author emphasizes that "there is no text without paratext," and even if the text is lost, the paratext can still exist independently.

This theory defines the transitional nature of paratext through multiple metaphors: it is both the "threshold" and "vestibule" of the text, as well as the "canal lock" or "airlock" that regulates textual identity and public experience, constituting a "transitional zone" between the text and the extratext. To precisely describe paratext, Genette constructs five analytical dimensions: the spatial dimension distinguishes "peritext" (covers, prefaces, etc.) within the same book as the text from "epitext" (interviews, letters, etc.) far outside the book; the temporal dimension divides paratext into pre-textual paratext, original paratext, post-textual paratext, delayed paratext, authorial paratext, and posthumous paratext based on its temporal relationship with the first edition and the author's life or death; the material form dimension breaks through textual limitations to encompass images, material forms, and "factual paratext"—latent factors such as the author's gender, awards received, and historical context, which constitute paratext as long as they influence public reception; the pragmatic dimension focuses on communicative subjects, dividing paratext by speaker into authorial paratext, publisher's paratext, and delegated paratext, and by addressee into public paratext, private paratext, and intimate paratext, while distinguishing between official and unofficial paratext; the functional dimension emphasizes the heteronomous and auxiliary nature of paratext.

It is pointed out that the core characteristic of paratext lies in its functionality and subordination. All paratext is essentially a functional existence serving the text, influencing reading behavior through "illocutionary force" (such as information transmission, intention expression, performative commitment, etc.) to ensure that the fate of the text aligns with the author's purpose. Although Genette mainly uses literary books as examples, the theoretical scope covers various genres and media, including music, painting, film and television, and digital texts. The universal existence of paratext, its formal diversity, and its presentational function regarding the text constitute the basic characteristics of this theory, while the auxiliary status of paratext always subordinate to the main text clarifies the hierarchical relationship between the two.

3　The Developability of Genette's Paratext Theory

This section discusses the limitations of Genette's paratext theory and its directions for development. Genette himself admits that his discussion is merely an introduction, the paratext inventory is incomplete, and it lacks a diachronic research perspective. Specifically, the authorial principle is not universal: others' comment summaries in scholarly editions, latent contexts, and factual paratext such as external awards do not fully conform to the authorial principle but instead broaden the territory of paratext. The subordination principle also has limitations: cases where prefaces are more famous than the main text, or where marketing publicity influences the market, indicate that paratext does not necessarily always occupy a subordinate position and may form equal or even dominant relationships with the text. The boundary between text and paratext is not fixed but depends on actual effects of influence from the perspective of consumption. In response to the bias of Genette's author-centered theory, it is proposed that the reader's perspective should be incorporated, including readers' produced post-reading reflections, reviews, and adaptations within the scope of paratext to balance both ends of production and consumption; at the same time, the fixed subordination principle should be dissolved to focus on the dynamic status relationship between text and paratext that varies with specific situations, in order to construct a more comprehensive theoretical framework.

4　Conclusion

This section discusses the development of Genette's paratext theory, noting that it has been extended to games and film and television abroad while domestic research emphasizes application, proposing to dissolve the author-centered theory and incorporate the reader's perspective to perfect the theory.