The Significance of Literary Context in Understanding Literature

In the world of literature, context plays a pivotal role in enhancing readers' comprehension of a text. It refers to the background information, events, and characters described in a literary work that provide a deeper insight into the story. Understanding literary context is crucial in grasping the intentions of the author and characters, and the overall message of the work.

What is Literary Context?

Literary context refers to the use of descriptions and details that give readers a clearer understanding of the events and experiences portrayed in a piece of literature.

The Function and Importance of Literary Context

Literary context provides readers with information that may not be explicitly stated in the text. It establishes a connection between readers and the literature by providing a deeper understanding of the story. Without context, the message of the piece may be unclear and leave readers uncertain.

Categories of Literary Context

Literary context can take various forms, including historical, cultural, social, political, religious, and biographical. These contexts may also overlap, making the world and its people complex and not easily categorized.

Exploring Literary Context

Historical Context

Historical context refers to a specific period in time, its events, and the attitudes of the people during that time. It encompasses various aspects, such as social, political, religious, and economic situations. Understanding historical context allows readers to gain a better perspective on why certain events occurred and how they compare to current events and personal experiences. For example, in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, the author uses historical context to depict the excess and moral looseness of the 1920s Jazz Age in America.

Cultural Context

Cultural context refers to the traditions, beliefs, and values of a particular culture or country. It is crucial for readers to be aware of cultural context to understand the customs and practices of different societies. By appreciating the diversity of cultures, readers can broaden their horizons. In Min Jin Lee's novel Pachinko, the cultural context of Korean traditions and daily life is woven into the story of a Korean family immigrating to Japan.

The novel also highlights the use of specific names and terms in Korean culture, providing non-Korean readers with a better understanding of the language and its customs.

• Example: "After each birth, Hoonie went to the market to buy his wife choice seaweed for soup to heal her womb." - Pachinko, 2017

Understanding Social Context in Literature

Social context is the portrayal of societal events and influences on the characters' attitudes. This is often intertwined with historical context, as events in a specific time period can shape society's norms and values.

Examining Social Context in An Inspector Calls

J.B. Priestley's play, An Inspector Calls, set in pre-war Britain (1912), highlights the class inequality between the upper, middle, and lower classes. The societal norms of the time greatly impact how characters are treated. During this period, there were clear distinctions between the wealthy upper class and the impoverished lower class. For instance, the character of Mrs. Birling (an upper-class woman) looks down on the working-class character Eva, saying, "As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!" This emphasizes the social hierarchy and the unequal treatment of the lower classes by the upper classes.

Do you believe such discrimination against the lower classes still exists in present-day society?

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