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Cultural context

Definition

Cultural context refers to the social, historical, and cultural circumstances that shape the creation and reception of a literary work. It includes factors such as customs, beliefs, values, traditions, and societal norms.

Analogy

Imagine cultural context as the lens through which we view literature - it colors our perception and understanding of the text just like wearing tinted glasses alters how we see things around us.

Related terms

Setting: The setting encompasses both time and place in which a story takes place. It helps establish the cultural context by providing details about the environment in which characters exist.

Social commentary: Social commentary is when an author uses their work to critique or reflect on societal issues such as politics, inequality, or injustice. It sheds light on cultural context by addressing relevant concerns.

Ethos: Ethos refers to the ethical appeal used by authors to persuade readers based on their credibility or authority. Understanding cultural context helps analyze the ethos employed in a literary work.