📍 Contextual Analysis Explained
In this part, we will define the concept and its main goals.
Contextual Analysis Definition
A contextual analysis is used to evaluate an item in historical and cultural contexts. It studies the issues from political, economic, and philosophical angles.
Let’s choose a famous painting by Vincent van Gogh “Cafe Terrace at Night.” You should start by mentioning that the artist lived in Arles in the second half of the XIX century and that he represented the post-Impressionism art movement. This elementary background information explains the many features of the painting.
Goals of Contextual Analysis
- Explaining complex works of art.
- Bringing attention to the creator and their identity.
- Discussing a particular subject to uncover its value.
- Analyzing historical events from a new perspective.
- Boosting critical thinking.
Context Analysis VS. Contextual Analysis
Students often confuse contextual analysis with context analysis.
Context analysis is a method for studying the environment of an object. Usually, business students use context analysis to examine a company on the macro level. Context analysis focuses mainly on the external factors in this case.
On the opposite, contextual analysis connects the historical and social setting with the object and its peculiarities.
🚧 Conducting a Contextual Analysis in 4 Steps
Writing a contextual analysis might seem challenging, but in reality, it takes several steps. We’ve prepared a guide on how to develop excellent contextual analysis and what to include in it.
Step 1. Learn About the Author
Information about the author might give you many insights and show the object from a new perspective. Learning a creator’s biography is also crucial. It can help you understand some details that you could have missed.
When writing a contextual analysis, answer these questions about the author:
- When and where was the person born?
- What was their life like? Did they have special education or training?
- What were their values and beliefs?
- Who or what inspired the creator?
- What were their impressions of the work they created?
Step 2. Discover the Historical Background
Historical context is as important as the information about the author. Historical events, religion, and philosophy have always inspired writers, painters, and movie directors. The work’s historical setting hints at the creator’s original intentions.
Consider these questions when exploring the historical background:
- What was the political situation when the object was created?
- What were the key historical events at that time?
- What was the economic situation in those years in that country?
- Was religion important to the people of that time?
- Which art forms were popular at that time?
Step 3. Detect the Style
A style is a tool for broadcasting a personal vision. There are unique features in any art, literature, music, or cinematography style, including form and colors. A combination of shapes, colors, and other details reflects a philosophy, which helps understand art better.
What you should consider when analyzing a style:
- What are the striking features of the form, colors, and composition?
- How does this style differ from other artworks of that time?
- Does this style involve any cultural or religious symbolism?
- Does this style belong to any art movement?
- What other artists created in the same manner?
Step 4. Explore the Audience’s Reaction
Audiences’ reactions will help you understand the impact of the object. Research if an artwork has any awards or has taken part in exhibitions. Remember to check official reviews and the impressions of ordinary people.
To help you investigate an audience’s reaction, answer these questions:
- Was the artwork famous when it was created?
- What was the first public impression when it appeared? Did it change?
- What characteristics do critics highlight?
- Does the object have any rewards or prizes?
- Were any other artworks inspired by the one you analyzed?
📜 Contextual Analysis in History
History is full of bright events which inspire authors of paintings, books, and movies. Analyzing the context in the field of history is crucial for expanding your thinking. It is a great tool allowing us to learn the lessons of the past.
Contextual analysis in history includes:
Contextual Analysis in History: Essay Topics
Looking for ideas for your contextual analysis in history? Check out our list of possible essay topics:
- The Salem Witch Trials: Their context and impact on Massachusetts.
- Martin Luther King’s participation in the civil rights movement.
- The imagery of Native Americans: Historical perspective.
- Employment discrimination and Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- The US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Jefferson’s Letter.
- The American Revolution as the historical context for the Declaration of Independence.
- Researching the historical context of Malcolm X’s life.
- The Emancipation Proclamation: Historical context analysis.
- Elie Wiesel’s identity and faith in Auschwitz.
- “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman” by M. Wollstonecraft: Contextual analysis.
- Jim Crow laws: Origins and end.
- “A Ghetto Takes Shape: Black Cleveland” by Kusmer: Contextual analysis.
- The Treaty of Versailles in World War II history.
- “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King: Historical context analysis.
- 1944 Education Act: Figures, context, ideology.
- “First to Fight” by Marine General Victor Krulak: Contextual analysis.
- Cecil Rhodes’ “Confession of Faith” contextual analysis.
- Contextual analysis of the primary sources: The American Dream.
- “The German Ideology” by Karl Marx and materialism: Contextual analysis.
- Civil War history: A Year in the South by Ash.
🏺 Example of Contextual Analysis in History
In the past, the witches were believed to be women who formed a contract with the Devil in exchange for magical power to conduct evil deeds. Witch imagery has evolved across the years, from evil wart-nosed women huddling over a cauldron of boiling liquid to hag-faced, cackling figures flying across the skies on brooms. But the reality of witchcraft has been much darker. Witches were often persecuted and killed since their practices were seen as evil and dangerous.
Historical portrayals of women as witches are heavily formed in Mediaeval theological views that considered women as morally weak, submissive to men, and more vulnerable to the Devil's temptations. As a result, women were accused of witchcraft and sentenced to torture, execution, and imprisonment.
The first witch trials happened in medieval Europe in the 15th century, driven by religious belief and political opportunism. These trials, which were frequently based on inadequate proof or personal conflict, had resulted in the torture, killing, and incarceration of countless victims. Witch trials peaked in the 16th and 17th centuries, especially in Germany, Switzerland, and France. During this time, from 50,000 to 100,000 people were accused of witchcraft and sentenced to horrible punishments.
The last reported execution for witchcraft happened in Switzerland in 1782. However, witch hunts continued in isolated parts of Europe and Asia into the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Due to scientific rationalism and growing skepticism of superstitious beliefs, the governments began abolishing witch trials and protecting accused witches' rights.
Even though the witch trials were primarily over, the negative stereotypes surrounding witches continued to spread, influencing their portrayal in literature, art, and popular culture. It was not until the 20th and 21st centuries that there was a growing movement to reclaim and redefine the witch archetype, moving away from the harmful stereotypes and embracing the power, creativity, and independence associated with witchcraft.
🎭 Contextual Analysis: Art
All artworks exist in a context or multiple. The background details of these contexts help us understand what a work of art meant when it was created. A successful contextual analysis of artwork includes this information about:
- The creator.
- The time when it was made.
- Its cultural contribution.
Here are step-by-step instructions on conducting a contextual analysis of art objects.
- Choose an art object you want to analyze. If it is not stated in the assignment, choose the one that will inspire you through the whole process of writing.
- Explore the critical information about the author. It can be a person or a group of artists.
- Analyze the historical and cultural background. Consider the key events that took part at that time. Study their causes and effects.
- Move on to the purpose of the art object and its significance. Think about the original meaning the artist wanted to convey.
- Describe the style features of a work of art you have chosen. Pay attention to forms, colors, and composition. Highlight what makes this style stand out.
- Look for the visual metaphors and symbols the object has. Think of the original meaning the creator tried to convey.
- Explore the audience and share your observations. Define people’s reactions and opinions and how they changed.
Contextual Analysis in Art: Essay Topics
Do you need some inspiration for writing your contextual analysis in art? We’ve compiled a list of essay topics to help you with your paper:
- Contextual analysis of Kal Cartoon by Kallaugher.
- Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun: Contextual analysis.
- Contextual analysis of the painting “Prometheus Bound” by Paul Ruben.
- Identity formation in “Persepolis” by Satrapi.
- Contextual analysis of Sgt. Peppers in The Space Between the Notes by Whiteley.
- The painting “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer.
- Contextual analysis of different works by Edgar Allan Poe.
- Things Fall Apart: Contextual analysis of the novel by Chinua Achebe.
- Contextual analysis of “Paradise Lost” by John Milton.
- “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin: Contextual analysis.
- Contextual analysis of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs.
- “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain: Injustice of slavery and racism.
- “Daddy” by Sylvia Plath: Contextual analysis.
- “Othello” by William Shakespeare: Racism problem.
- Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift: Contextual analysis.
- Contextual analysis of “The Tale of Kieu” by Nguyen Du.
- “Last Night I Dreamed of Peace” by Dang Thuy Tram.
- Marriage in The Awakening novel by Kate Chopin.
- Racism in “A Different Mirror” by R. Takaki.
- Contextual analysis of “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker.
🖼️ Contextual Analysis Example
Vincent Van Gogh – Self Portrait, 1889.
Van Gogh was a well-known post-Impressionist painter. He was born in 1853 in the Netherlands and grew up in a pastor's family. Van Gogh decided to become an artist only at 27. He moved to Paris to go for his dreams. There, he met other famous artists and started drawing.
His contemporaries described Vincent as a complex and stubborn person. His main goal was to experience life in all possible ways. Van Gogh got inspired by observing people and nature. He spent the majority of his time in the province. The painter enjoyed the sunlight and warm climate there. Van Gogh didn't have academic education in art. Yet he was very demanding of himself and his paintings.
Van Gogh was a part of the post-Impressionist art movement. It was known back then as the philosophy of "modern life." The movement was popular in Europe at the time. Various exhibitions presented and promoted it. Van Gogh supported public ideas about the freedom of expression and emotions.
Van Gogh painted the last self-portrait only months before his death. The chaotic ornament of the background refers to his stay at the mental hospital. The colors of his face are yellowish, contrasting with the blue background. Face features are in shadow. It creates an impression of illness and unhappiness.