SSS - Historical Contexts for Voltaire and Kate Chopin Lesson

 As you begin to read these two novels, it will help if you have some contextual understanding of each author’s background and how this has influenced the themes and purposes in each book. In this microlesson, you will be introduced to each author and what each is trying to achieve with his or her work.

Historical Contexts

Both Voltaire's Candide and Kate Chopin's The Awakening are representative of fiction written during their respective time periods. Watch the video presentation below to learn more about the historical contexts of both novels.

It is now time to read Voltaire's Candide. Click here to access an online version of the text. You may also purchase a copy or borrow one from your local library. Links to an external site.

It is now time to read Kate Chopin's The Awakening. Click here to access an online version of the text. You may also purchase a copy or borrow one from your local library. Links to an external site.

Let's Review

Final Thoughts

Now that you have some background into the two purposes of each novel and some of the larger themes, it is time to start working on close reading of each novel. Remember that understanding the themes and purpose is often the first part of studying a text; once you have determined the larger themes and purpose you must use close reading to analyze how the author conveys this larger meaning.

IMAGES & VIDEOS CREATED BY GAVS