Context Matters

Resources on this page will help you find background sources on historical, social, political, and aesthetic contexts to the works and authors you study. 

Gale Literature

Read Topic & Work Overviews from Gale Literature to get started with: 

• an introduction to social, historical, political contexts from which a poet worked
• an overview of the critical reception to a poet's work
• a discussion of key themes and aesthetic elements in the author's work

Biography in Context

• Read biographies to learn about an author's life, time, and literary work.

U.S. History in Context (or World History in Context)

Read reference articles for an overview to historical, cultural, political contexts.

• You may search by name, era or event. You may also browse for ideas.