LINGUISTIC,

BIOGRAPHICAL, AND
SOCIOCULTURAL
CONTEXTS
Understanding Literary Texts
in 21st Century Literature
By:Dorell Haniel V. Molejon
And Jharel Villarino
 Recap
In your previous lessons, you learned about
figures of speech

and imagery as literary techniques used by the

author in writing a text. Let

us check your understanding of the lesson by

answering this activity.
RPSNIITIONACF 1. It gives human characteristics to inanimate objects.

POHERLBYE 2. It the use of highly exaggerated statements, most of

the time not leading to reality.

IEARMYG 3. This refers to the use of figurative language to

resent objects, actions, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our

physical senses.
1.PERSONIFICATION
ORPSNIITIONACF 1. It gives human characteristics to inanimate objects
POHERLBYE 2. It the use of highly exaggerated statements, most of
the time not leading to reality.
IEARMYG 3. This refers to the use of figurative language to
epresent objects, actions, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our
physical senses.
AORTHPME 4. It is a comparison between two words without the use
of any word clue.
OTANOMAOPEOI 5. This is used to mimic sounds of objects or actions
referred to when spoken.
2.HYPERBOLE
ORPSNIITIONACF 1. It gives human characteristics to inanimate objects
POHERLBYE 2. It the use of highly exaggerated statements, most of
the time not leading to reality.
IEARMYG 3. This refers to the use of figurative language to
epresent objects, actions, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our
physical senses.
AORTHPME 4. It is a comparison between two words without the use
of any word clue.
OTANOMAOPEOI 5. This is used to mimic sounds of objects or actions
referred to when spoken.
3.IMAGERY
ORPSNIITIONACF 1. It gives human characteristics to inanimate object
POHERLBYE 2. It the use of highly exaggerated statements, most of
the time not leading to reality.
IEARMYG 3. This refers to the use of figurative language to
present objects, actions, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to ou
physical senses.
AORTHPME 4. It is a comparison between two words without the use
of any word clue.
OTANOMAOPEOI 5. This is used to mimic sounds of objects or actions
referred to when spoken.
4.METAPHOR
 EORPSNIITIONACF 1. It gives human characteristics to inanimate
objects.
POHERLBYE 2. It the use of highly exaggerated statements, most of
the time not leading to reality.
IEARMYG 3. This refers to the use of figurative language to
represent objects, actions, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to
our
physical senses.
AORTHPME 4. It is a comparison between two words without the use
of any word clue.
OTANOMAOPEOI 5. This is used to mimic sounds of objects or actions
referred to when spoken.
5.ONOMATOPOEIA
 Expect
ations
What You Will Learn:
Understanding Context: Learn the significance of
linguistic, biographical, and sociocultural contexts
in literature.
Analyzing Literature: Gain the ability to analyze
literary texts using different contexts to enhance
interpretation.
Application: Develop skills to apply these contexts
when reading and understanding various literary
 Introd
uction
What is Context?
Definition: Context refers to the
circumstances that form the setting for an
event, statement, or idea, allowing readers
to understand the narrative or a literary
piece better.
Importance: Without context, the true
meaning of a literary work can be lost.
 Linguistic
Definition:
Context
Linguistic context refers to the surrounding words,
phrases, sentences, and even the broader discourse
or situation that influence the meaning and
interpretation of a particular word, phrase, or
utterance.
Key
points: context is the surrounding information
Linguistic
(words, phrases, sentences) that helps you
understand the full meaning of a particular word
 Linguistic
Example:
Context
From the poem "The Road Not Taken" by
Robert Frost

Quote: "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood..."

Explanation: The word "diverged" means split or

went in different directions, showing a big
decision. The "yellow wood" suggests it's autumn,
a time when things change, just like the decision
 Biographical
Definition:
Context
Biographical context refers to the life
experiences and background of an author
or creator that can influence their work.
Think of it as the "story behind the story."
Key points:
Imagine reading a poem about the struggles of
immigration. Understanding the author's own experiences
as an immigrant would help you better understand their
Authors often write from personal experiences, directly or indirectly influencing their literary pieces.
feelings, perspectives, and the message they're trying to
convey in their work.

Authors often write from personal experiences, directly or

 Biographical
Example:
Context Example
From the book "I Know Why the Caged
Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

Angelou’s Life: Maya Angelou faced racism and tough

times in her life, which shows up in her writing.
Authors often write from personal experiences, directly or indirectly influencing their literary pieces
Explanation: Knowing about her life helps us see how
the book talks about fighting against unfair treatment
and staying strong.
 Sociocultural
Definition:
Context
Sociocultural context refers to the social and
cultural factors that surround and influence a piece
of work or an event. It includes things like the
beliefs, values, customs, and traditions of a
particular society or group.
Key points:
Think of a novel written during the American Civil War. The
sociocultural context of that time – slavery, social
inequality, political tensions – would likely shape the
Authors often write from personal experiences, directly or indirectly influencing their literary pieces

story's plot, characters, and themes. Understanding that

context helps readers appreciate the deeper meaning and
significance of the work.
 Sociocultural
Example:
Context Example
From the novel "1984" by
George Orwell
Historical Background:
Historical Background: "1984" was written when
people were worried about governments taking
Explanation:This context
too helps us understand
much control.
how the book warns about losing freedom
due to oppressive governments.
 Examples in Literature
LINGUISTIC CONTEXT EXAMPLE:
Analyze a passage where language, word
choice, or stylistic devices are significant.

BIOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT EXAMPLE:

Discuss how an author's personal history is
reflected in their work.

SOCIOCULTURAL CONTEXT EXAMPLE:

Explore how a literary work reflects or
critiques the society in which it was
written.
 Activity 1
ACTIVITIES
Read and analyze the poem written by Virgilio S.
Almario then answer
“O, Kapitan! Kapitan Ko”
the questions that follow.

(Pagkatáposni Walt Whitman)

by Rio Alma on May 11, 2020

O, Kapitan! Kapitanko! Tapos na ang k’warentena!

 Ngunit naku! O, Kapitan!

Epidemya’y di pa tapós.

Hábang-búhay na daw normal

Maskara mo’y nakasuot.

O, Kapitan! Kapitanko! Puwede nang

ambulans’ya
 May basura na sa sulok.
Tataas ang gasolina:
Balik-trapik, balik-usok.
O, Kapitan! Kapitan ko! Tigib ka daw sa alarma?
May kotong daw sa SAPsidiang tanod at
sekretarya?
Na-covid daw sa opismo ang sardinas at de-
láta?
Doble-doble daw ilista ang asawa’t kapamilya?
Ngunit naku! Ay, Kapitan!
May eleks’yong pumapasok;
Guide Questions:

1. What is the poem all about?

2. What literary context do you observe in his

writing?

3. Did the use of language help in conveying the

poem’s message? How?
 POSTEST
Identify each statement and choose the letter of the best answer. Write

your answer on the space provided before each number.

a. Biological b. Sociocultural c. Linguistic d. Context

_______1. Authors’ work influences their own experiences. It describes

the

happenings he/she witnessed.

_______2. It gives us the background, framework or events to the

readers,
 6.Which context focuses on the author's life experiences and how they might shape their
work?

a) Linguistic Context
b) Biographical Context
c) Sociocultural Context
7.The use of the word "diverged" in Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken" is an example
of which context?

a) Linguistic Context
b) Biographical Context
c) Sociocultural Context
8.The historical background of concerns about government control during the time George
Orwell wrote "1984" is an example of which context?

a) Linguistic Context
b) Biographical Context
 8.Which of the following is NOT a key point about Biographical
Context?

a) It refers to how an author's life experiences influence their work.

b) It focuses on the language used in a literary work.
c) Understanding an author's background can enhance the
interpretation of their work.

9.Which context examines the social, economic, political, and cultural

forces surrounding a literary work?

a) Linguistic Context
b) Biographical Context
 Enumeratio
n
Identify three factors that contribute to Sociocultural
Context.

Enumerate two key points about Linguistic

Context.

List the three main types of context discussed in the

presentation.
 References
Allen, J. Case Tompkins, Libby Chernouski, and Elizabeth Boyle. “Literary

Theory and Schools of Criticism.” OWL Purdue Online Writing Lab.

Accessed January 3, 2017. https:// owl.

nglish.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/1/.

Brooker, Peter, Raman Selden, and Peter Widdowson. 2005. A Reader’s

Interpreting Works intocontext”.

Guide (accessed
Contemporary June 8,
Literary Theory. 5th2020)
ed. Great Britain: Pearson

Education.
https://study.com/academy/lesson/interpreting?context.html#:~:text=Biographical
%20context%2C%20which%20is%20forme
“Context Examples” (accessed June 8, 2020).

https://www.softschools.com/examples/literary_terms/context_examples/5
d,well%20as%20its%20literary%20form
48/ (
“Types of Context for Literary Works”. (accessed June 10, 2020)
THANKYOU