Why did people do that?
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Context
Historical context refers to the social, religious, economic, and political conditions that existed during a certain time and place. It is what enables us to interpret and better understand the past, rather than merely judge them by contemporary standards. Ask Yourself *What was going on during that time period? *How was this person influenced by that time period? *Is this person responding to issues during that time period? |
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Example #1
Imagine you're reading a letter from a mother that contains this sentence:
"My daughter will be heading to California shortly after she marries."
How much information does this statement give us? Not much, until we look at the date. When we discover that the letter was written in 1849, we realize that one sentence can sometimes say a lot. A young woman heading for California in 1849 might be following her husband on a treacherous treasure-seeking expedition for the gold rush. This mother would probably be quite fearful for her child, and she would know that it would be a very long time before she'd see her daughter again, if ever.
Example #2
Consider the following sentence. Devoid of context, it sounds innocent enough:
"Sally hid her hands behind her back and crossed her fingers before she answered."
But imagine that this statement comes from a transcript of court documents in Salem, Mass., in 1692. Religious fervor was at an extreme, and villagers were nearly obsessed with the devil and witchcraft. For a young woman to tell a lie was fodder for hysteria and violent reaction. A reader would assume that poor Sally was a candidate for the gallows.
Imagine you're reading a letter from a mother that contains this sentence:
"My daughter will be heading to California shortly after she marries."
How much information does this statement give us? Not much, until we look at the date. When we discover that the letter was written in 1849, we realize that one sentence can sometimes say a lot. A young woman heading for California in 1849 might be following her husband on a treacherous treasure-seeking expedition for the gold rush. This mother would probably be quite fearful for her child, and she would know that it would be a very long time before she'd see her daughter again, if ever.
Example #2
Consider the following sentence. Devoid of context, it sounds innocent enough:
"Sally hid her hands behind her back and crossed her fingers before she answered."
But imagine that this statement comes from a transcript of court documents in Salem, Mass., in 1692. Religious fervor was at an extreme, and villagers were nearly obsessed with the devil and witchcraft. For a young woman to tell a lie was fodder for hysteria and violent reaction. A reader would assume that poor Sally was a candidate for the gallows.