How do I include context in my literature essay?

Context is key to the top marks in a literature essay and it is best applied subtly to bring greater depth to your main points. Context can explain why a poet has used a particular technique or add a richer layer of interpretation regarding the meaning of a text. It is easy to make the mistake of wedging prepared context into paragraphs where it has little relevance. This can often risk detracting from, rather than enhancing your essay. I would recommend revising general context and a few key statistics but not being too worried if these specifics don't come up. If your general knowledge is strong enough within the period you won't struggle finding places to include it. When planning your points in an exam, think about why a writer is using a certain technique, who the works audience is, and what the writer is trying to express given the context of the culture that they're writing in. Just as it's important to think about John Donne as a priest in a time of conflict between Catholics and Romans; it's also important to acknowledge the patriarchal culture that Margaret Atwood is addressing in The Handmaid's Tale. Asking yourself why, who and what in an essay will inevitably lead to including context with ease. If done well, context helps to draw the reader out from the specifics of the particular text and into its relevance in the wider world. Hold on to the three questions above as you plan each point and all should flow well in the essay.