Context
The The factors surrounding a text that help us to understand it; the background events that help to explain something. in which a poem was written can sometimes tell you more about its themes, message and meaning.
Some questions you might ask include:
- is the time or place in which it was written reflected in the poem?
- are aspects of the poet’s life reflected in the poem?
You will need to research the poet’s background to discover answers to these questions. But if you do write about a poem and its context, be careful to include only details that reveal something about the poem.
Context of 'Love and Friendship'
Emily Brontë was born in 1818 in Yorkshire. She had four sisters and a brother, two of whom, Charlotte and Anne, were also writers. Emily is best known for her novel Wuthering Heights, a dark love story set in the north of England. Most of her poetry was collected and published long after she died. However, a slim volume of poems by Emily, Charlotte and Anne Brontë was produced in 1846.
Little is known about Emily Brontë as a result of her shy and reclusive nature. According to her sister, Charlotte, she was more likely to be found out walking on the hills than at home. Her poems often explore aspects of human nature and what it means to be human, such as how we experience love, death and conflict in our lives.