Welcome to Writing About Context!
In this chapter, we are going to master one of the most important skills for your AQA GCSE English Literature exam: Assessment Objective 3 (AO3), otherwise known as Context. Many students find context a bit intimidating because they think they have to be history experts. Don't worry! You don't need to know every date in history. You just need to understand the relationship between the text and the world it was written in.
Context is worth 15% of your total GCSE mark. By the end of these notes, you will know how to weave context into your essays naturally, rather than just "bolting it on" at the end.
What exactly is Context?
Context is the background information that helps us understand why a writer wrote a text in a certain way. Think of the text as a picture and context as the frame. The frame gives the picture support and helps us see where it belongs.
According to your syllabus, you need to show an understanding of the relationships between the texts and their contexts. This usually falls into three categories:
1. Social Context: How people lived, what they believed, and how they treated each other (e.g., how Victorian society viewed the poor in A Christmas Carol).
2. Historical Context: Big events happening at the time (e.g., the transition from the Elizabethan to the Jacobean era when Shakespeare wrote Macbeth).
3. Cultural Context: The art, religion, and general "vibe" of the time (e.g., the strict moral codes of the 1940s in An Inspector Calls).
Key Takeaway: Context is not just "history." It is the ideas and attitudes that were common when the author was writing.
The "Why" Factor: Connecting Context to the Writer
A common mistake is to treat context like a history lesson. AQA examiners often call this "fact-dumping." To get the highest marks, you must always link the context back to the writer's purpose.
Instead of just saying a fact, ask yourself: "Why did the writer include this because of what was happening in their world?"
Example (The Wrong Way):
"In the Victorian era, many people were poor and lived in workhouses."
(This is just a history fact. It doesn't mention the book or the writer.)
Example (The Right Way):
"Dickens uses the character of Tiny Tim to challenge the Victorian attitude toward the poor, highlighting the need for social reform."
(This is better! It links the history to the character and the writer's message.)
How to Integrate Context into Your Essay
Think of your essay like a sandwich. Context should be the filling, not a side dish. You should try to mention context throughout your answer, especially when you are explaining themes or character motivations.
Step 1: Point – Make a point about a character or theme.
Step 2: Evidence – Use a quotation (see the chapter on Using Quotations for more).
Step 3: Analysis – Explain the writer's methods (AO2).
Step 4: Context (AO3) – Explain how this reflects the time it was written or the writer's message to the audience.
Memory Aid: The "Mirror" Trick
Always ask: Does this character mirror the society of the time, or does the writer use them to criticise that society? This simple question helps you link context to the plot every time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• The Fact Dump: Writing a whole paragraph about King James I or the Industrial Revolution that has nothing to do with the specific question you were asked.
• Biographical Overload: Writing too much about the writer’s personal life (like where they went to school) unless it directly explains a choice they made in the text.
• Forgetting the Audience: Remember that plays (like Shakespeare or An Inspector Calls) were written to be watched. Think about how the original audience would have reacted compared to a modern audience.
Quick Review: Context should always serve the argument you are making about the text. If the fact doesn't help explain the story, leave it out!
Useful Phrases for Writing About Context
To make your writing sound more professional and cohesive, try using these "bridge" phrases to link your points to context:
• "This reflects the contemporary belief that..."
• "The writer may be responding to the social climate of..."
• "To a contemporary audience, this character would represent..."
• "This choice highlights the tensions between [Idea A] and [Idea B] in the 19th century..."
• "The writer uses [Character/Event] as a vehicle to criticise..."
Context Across Different Papers
Your syllabus covers different eras, so your context will change depending on which text you are writing about:
Paper 1, Section A (Shakespeare): Think about the Divine Right of Kings, gender roles, or the supernatural beliefs of the 1600s.
Paper 1, Section B (19th-Century Novel): Think about social class, industrialisation, or Victorian morality.
Paper 2, Section A (Modern Texts): Think about the world wars, the changing role of women, or political shifts (like Capitalism vs. Socialism).
Did you know? You do not need to write about context for the Unseen Poetry section (Section C) of Paper 2! You only need to focus on context for the Shakespeare play, the 19th-century novel, the Modern text, and the Anthology poetry.
Final Summary Checklist
• Have I linked the context to a specific part of the text?
• Have I explained why the writer included this idea?
• Have I avoided "fact-dumping" long paragraphs of history?
• Have I used professional phrases like "reflects" or "criticises"?
• Is my context relevant to the question I am answering?
Note: For more information on how to build your essay structure, please refer to the other chapters in this section: "Writing about character" and "Writing about theme."