How much should I learn about the author's life?

While it is important to have an understanding of some historical context in order to understand elements of the text that may be obviously appealing to a certain historical movement or issue, it is important not to get bogged down in learning too much factual history. The text should stand alone as a work, and its narrative voice should not be assumed to always be that of its author.

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Answered by Ralph C. English Literature tutor

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