The document discusses the various contexts that enhance the understanding and appreciation of a literary work, including biographical, historical, geographical, political, philosophical/religious, sociological, and psychological contexts. It poses essential questions regarding the author's life, societal influences, and the historical backdrop of the text. The analysis of these contexts helps readers gain deeper insights into the text's meaning and the author's intentions.

1. The Main
Contexts
of a Literary
Work

2. Essential Question
• How can knowledge of the
various contexts of a literary work
enhance our understanding and
appreciation of the text?

3. Literary Contexts
• To understand and appreciate a
literary selection, a reader must
understand the significant contexts in
which it was written.

4. Biographical Context
• What biographical facts has the author used
in the text?
• What insights do readers acquire about the
author’s life by reading the text?

5. Historical Context
• What specific historical events were happening
when the work was being composed?
• What historical events does this work deal
with?
• In what ways did history influence the writer’s
outlook?

6. Geographical Context
• Is this author a regionalist writer?
• How does dialect influence the text?

7. Political Context
• What political events are significant to
the text?
• What political events were occurring at
the time the work was written?
• What political beliefs does the author
seem to have?

8. Philosophical/Religious Context
• Are any religions or philosophies mentioned
specifically in the text?
• What religious/ethical/philosophical beliefs
does the author seem to favor?
• What behavior do the characters display that
the author wants us to think is “right”?
• What behavior is “wrong”? How can one tell?

9. Sociological Context
• What sort of society does the writer describe?
• What does the writer seem to like/dislike about
this society?
• What changes do you think the writer would
like to make in the society? Evidence?
• What sorts of pressures does the society put on
its members? How do members respond?

10. Psychological Context
• What theories of human behavior does the writer
seem to believe?
• What theories of human behavior does the writer
seem to reject?
• How do people’s minds work in the text?
• In what ways does the structure & organization of the
story indicate the writer’s beliefs about the workings
of the mind.

11. Literary Contexts at Work