On Wednesday we discussed the merit of incorporating context of various sorts into interpretations and understanding of works of literature. There is merit but there is also danger. Understanding the tumultuous nature of France and England during that time aids in an understanding of A Tale of Two Cities.
However, I think we ought to be careful about which type of context can be helpful. There are certainly facts about an author's life for instance that would prove irrelevant. Furthermore, and the true danger, is that additional information can as easily corrupt as it can enlighten. Interpretation is always imprecise but being bogged down with irrelvant information may tempt us to look for analogs in the story and maybe even create a few.
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