It's a good question and one that often pops up in exams.
Usually, when we're talking about the CONTEXT of a piece of writing - or anything - we are referring to the circumstances that surround the piece of writing. In other words: WHY was it written.
'Dulce Et Decorum Est' was written as an angry reaction to war and recruitment.
'Animal Farm' was Orwell's opinion on Communism, not a story about cute animals.
Context refers to the 'WHY' of a text: what were the circumstances surrounding the author writing the piece?
We often refer to things being taken OUT of context. For example:
I'm in a fantastic mood, I've got 10-1 English and I enter the room, beaming. Someone tells me a stupid joke and, chuckling, I reply, "You're such an idiot!"
Now, according to the context of this scene, the student would almost take that as a compliment. Everyone was just fooling around and no offence was taken.
However, this student goes home and tells his mother that I called him an idiot. He fails to recall the light-hearted circumstances surrounding the incident and, as a result, the mother thinks I simply insulted her son.
She calls me up, abusing me for calling her son an 'idiot.' I plead that she has taken my quote "out of context."
In other words, those words I spoke ("You're such an idiot") can ONLY BE PROPERLY INTERPRETED IF YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE CONTEXT IN WHICH THEY WERE SAID.
Hello, Bec!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good question and one that often pops up in exams.
Usually, when we're talking about the CONTEXT of a piece of writing - or anything - we are referring to the circumstances that surround the piece of writing. In other words: WHY was it written.
'Dulce Et Decorum Est' was written as an angry reaction to war and recruitment.
'Animal Farm' was Orwell's opinion on Communism, not a story about cute animals.
Context refers to the 'WHY' of a text: what were the circumstances surrounding the author writing the piece?
I hope this helps. If not, let me know.
We often refer to things being taken OUT of context. For example:
ReplyDeleteI'm in a fantastic mood, I've got 10-1 English and I enter the room, beaming. Someone tells me a stupid joke and, chuckling, I reply, "You're such an idiot!"
Now, according to the context of this scene, the student would almost take that as a compliment. Everyone was just fooling around and no offence was taken.
However, this student goes home and tells his mother that I called him an idiot. He fails to recall the light-hearted circumstances surrounding the incident and, as a result, the mother thinks I simply insulted her son.
She calls me up, abusing me for calling her son an 'idiot.' I plead that she has taken my quote "out of context."
In other words, those words I spoke ("You're such an idiot") can ONLY BE PROPERLY INTERPRETED IF YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE CONTEXT IN WHICH THEY WERE SAID.
I never called anyone an idiot, by the way. Let me just make that clear.
ReplyDeleteOk, thanks sir that did help alot :)
ReplyDeleteLol. Goodwin started to babble.
ReplyDeleteas a teacher u really do have to cover your bases lol
ReplyDelete