Context Cultural Historical Cultural Context First look for

Context Cultural & Historical

Cultural Context First look for clues in the writing to determine where it takes place. Let the words create an image in your mind. Remember to look up words you don’t know because they could be important to determining context. Example: The morning fog settled around the pink of the blooming trees and created a dream like setting in the small town. Each pagoda seemed to be encompassed in its own private world as cranes passed silently overhead.

By determining where a literary work takes places, certain assumptions can be made. In the desert it is hot; there is very little rainfall. Days are very hot, and nights are cold. Local wildlife can include coyotes, lizards, rattle snakes, jack rabbits etc.

You can determine daily life. On a ranch, there are many chores to be done such as fix the fences and check stock. Many ranchers work hard from sunrise to sunset.

You might have to do a little background research if you are unfamiliar with the cultural context. For example, you might not have a full understanding of Indian culture.

Historical Context Once you decide the “where, ” you need to determine the “when. ” Even though the musket and cannon fire could be heard just a few miles away. The carriage pulled up to the house with Southern ladies who were ready to dance the evening away. This picture of a Southern plantation home lets us know Now we know we are in where we are but we don’t know the during the Civil when. South we are by just looking. War.

We know the fashions of the time We now know social concerns like slavery We also know important political figures

What are some other things you can infer from historical context? Music c s i f i t rie n ie ve c S sco i D Can you think of others? En Fig tertai ure nm en s t Business Icons

Basically, you have to be a detective as you read!