1. Historical Criticism
Mrs. Bivins
English 11

2. KWL:
WHAT I THINK I KNOW…
WHAT I WANT TO KNOW…
Historical Criticism

3. Historical Criticism
Looking at the work as a reflection of the author’s (or characters’) life & times
It is necessary to know about the author & the political, economical, & sociological context of the time period in order to understand the text.

4. The Importance of the Historical Perspective
Historical novels often make important comments on key events and social issues during the era it refers to.
Understanding the human condition and social issues helps understand the work
In order to understand The Secret Life of Bees, we must have background information about the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
In order to understand The Great Gatsby, we must understand the economic boom after World War I.
(Guerin et al 52).

5. Two Ways to Approach Literature from a Historical Perspective
Old Historicism looks at the time period a novel was written and what was going on during that time.
Civil rights movement
Riots/Protests
New Historicism examines how a novel reflects ideas and attitudes and beliefs of the time in it was written.
Racism
The belief in segregation
(DiYanni 1565).

6. Question to ask when approaching a text historically
Who is the author and how did his/her life influence the work?
What was the time period of the text like?
How does the time period influence the text?
How does the setting influence meaning of the text?

7. Historical Criticism in To Kill a Mocking Bird
In your notes take two minutes to write down what you remember about the novel and what was going on during that time period.
i.e. – 1960s, segregation, racism

8. Historical Criticism in To Kill a Mockingbird
You don’t need to write this
Historical Criticism in To Kill a Mockingbird
Despite the end of slavery almost a century before To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1960 (President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863),
African Americans were still denied many of their basic rights. Although Lee sets her novel in the South of the 1930s, conditions were little improved by the early 1960s in America.
The Civil Rights movement was just taking shape in the 1950s, and its principles were beginning to find a voice in American courtrooms and the law.
The famous 1954 U.S. Supreme Court trial of Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas declared the long-held practice of segregation in public schools unconstitutional and quickly led to desegregation of other public institutions.
"Historical Context: To Kill a Mockingbird." EXPLORING Novels. Detroit:
Gale, Student Resources in Context. Web. 3 Oct

9. Langston Hughes “I, Too”
I, Too By Langston Hughes I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table When company comes. Nobody’ll dare Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” Then. Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed— I, too, am America.
Explain with a partner the historical context behind this poem.
What social attitudes and cultural practices related to the action of the work were prevalent during the time the work was written and published?

10. RECAP: What have we learned?
Complete the L – learned section of your KWL chart. You may discuss with a partner.

11. Historical Criticism
You will have to apply this form of criticism to the novel The Secret Life of Bees
Let’s practice by finding four scenes in the novel SLOB that represent historical criticism.