PO3 - Lesson: Literary Context

An open book of poetry sits in a field with various leaves and plant clippings.Literary Context

Understanding the literary context of a work provides a crucial foundation for assessing its sophistication.

First, it allows the reader to appreciate the author's engagement with prevailing intellectual, cultural, and societal currents of the time. This awareness facilitates a nuanced analysis of how the work responds to or challenges prevailing ideas, showcasing the author's intellectual depth.

Second, an understanding of literary movements and styles prevalent during the period enables a more accurate evaluation of the work's innovative aspects or adherence to established conventions, contributing to an assessment of its sophistication.

Additionally, knowledge of the author's life, influences, and experiences can unveil layers of complexity in character development, narrative choices, and thematic exploration, enhancing the overall perception of the work's sophistication.

Literary Movements

There are a lot of literary movements, so it is not essential to memorize them all. However, exposure to the patterns and trends that occurred at different periods of Western Literature can help situate your analysis in a particular style of writing.

Here is the second suggestion for earning the sophistication point:

“Illuminating the student’s interpretation by situating it within a broader context.”

If you can be aware of the literary trends and styles that surround a work and incorporate them into your overall analysis of a poem’s complexity, then you can potentially earn this point. A simple strategy is to simply identify the literary movement and then briefly explain how the poem on the AP Exam connects to the literary movement.

  • William Wordsworth's “There Once Was a Boy” reflects the literature of the Romantic period because of the speaker’s introspection and love of nature.
  • William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet XYZ” reflects the literature of the English Renaissance period because of the use of the sonnet and the obsession with the trials of love.
  • John Donne’s “The Flea” reflects the literature of the Baroque period because of the complex metaphors and vivid imagery. 

Literary Movements Over Time

Use the following flashcards to learn more about various trending literary movements from different time periods. The cards are presented in order from oldest to most recent. Be sure to take notes on the basic information provided for each movement.

Reflection

Remember that understanding literary movements can serve as a background for a sophisticated literary analysis.

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