Historical Context in Understanding Literature. This paper is an examination of the role history plays in creating and understanding literature. Two pieces of literature, Maud Martha and Sonny's Blues, are used as examples of history shaping literature and of the importance of understanding the history of the period in which the works were written to gain a full appreciation of the literature Pages: 5 Bibliography: 5 source(s) listed Filename: 14142 Context Understanding Literature.doc Price: 44.75