This GCSE English Literature quiz takes a look at context in Meera Syal's Anita and Me. Context, in literary terms, applies to the environment in which a text was written. Context includes an author’s geographical time and location, along with contemporary social and political events. These aspects of a text’s context might sound familiar, because their fictional counterparts form what is known as “setting”. Just as a text’s setting refers to the fictional aspects of the world contained in the text, “context” describes the same aspects of the author’s own world. Where a text is set in the recent past, as in Anita and Me, historical context might seem very close indeed to the novel’s fictional setting, especially when the author explicitly addresses social and political issues. The consequences of Britain’s colonial past are very much evident in the novel, as they were at the time the novel was written (and still are now).
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How to write about context
It is always a good idea to make the effort to learn about the context of a work of fiction. Your understanding of the environment in which the text was produced will enhance your analysis of its other aspects. Consider how the text has been shaped by its context. Where do you see evidence that the author has responded to contemporary events or issues? Be aware context never dictates the meaning of a text, however. The influence exerted by the context of a novel can be subtle and always interacts with the author’s own intentions in writing the work. Historical events, or issues, are not represented in a clear and unbiased manner in the pages of a fictional text.
Research the context of Meera Syal’s Anita and Me, remembering everything you have learned in your English lessons, and try these questions to see how much you know about the context of the novel.
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1.
|
When was Anita and Me published? |
|
[ ] |
1956 |
[ ] |
1976 |
[ ] |
1996 |
[ ] |
2016 |
|
|
2.
|
In what language do Meena's parents communicate when they wish to speak privately in front of her? |
|
[ ] |
Urdu |
[ ] |
Punjabi |
[ ] |
French |
[ ] |
Swedish |
|
|
3.
|
Who imprisoned Meena's grandfather for four years? |
|
[ ] |
His father |
[ ] |
His brother |
[ ] |
Local priests |
[ ] |
The British |
|
|
4.
|
Which of the following is correct? |
|
[ ] |
Meena thinks of herself only as belonging to Tollington |
[ ] |
Meena thinks of herself as both Indian and a West-Midlander |
[ ] |
Meena thinks of herself only as Indian |
[ ] |
Meena thinks of herself only as British |
|
|
5.
|
The young Meena is usually protected from hearing her parents', aunties' and uncles' stories of living through Partition. What is meant by this term? |
|
[ ] |
The British Empire's colonisation of India |
[ ] |
The British Empire's colonisation of Pakistan |
[ ] |
The division of India under the British Empire into two independent sates, India and Bangladesh |
[ ] |
The division of India under the British Empire into two independent states, India and Pakistan |
|
|
6.
|
"Once, after I had heard papa and the Uncles getting very angry over someone they referred to as 'That Powell Bastard with his bloody rivers' and had added, 'If he wants to send us back, let him come and damn well try!' I had asked mama if the cases were ready in case we had to escape back to India at short notice." Who is meant by "That Powell Bastard"? |
|
[ ] |
Enoch Powell |
[ ] |
Eric Powell |
[ ] |
Enid Powell |
[ ] |
Erwin Powell |
|
|
7.
|
What is Jackie? |
|
[ ] |
A weekly pop show on television |
[ ] |
The title of a popular romance novel from the 1960s |
[ ] |
A weekly pop radio programme |
[ ] |
A British magazine for teens |
|
|
8.
|
After Auntie Shaila berates the family for allowing her to attend Sunday School and Meena expresses regret at not having a shrine at home, where does Meena's mother take her? |
|
[ ] |
The gurdwara in Birmingham |
[ ] |
A Hindu temple in Birmingham |
[ ] |
The Methodist church in Birmingham |
[ ] |
A mosque in Birmingham |
|
|
9.
|
Which of the following is NOT a television programme Meena watches? |
|
[ ] |
Top of the Pops |
[ ] |
Cartoons |
[ ] |
Only Fools and Horses |
[ ] |
The news |
|
|
10.
|
Meera Syal described Anita and Me as semi-autobiographical. What does this mean? |
|
[ ] |
The novel tells the story of Syal's childhood, exactly as it happened |
[ ] |
The novel tells a story based on Syal's childhood, with some fictionalised elements |
[ ] |
The novel is entirely fictional |
[ ] |
The novel is Meena's biography |
|
|
1.
|
When was Anita and Me published? |
|
[ ] |
1956 |
[ ] |
1976 |
[x] |
1996 |
[ ] |
2016 |
|
|
2.
|
In what language do Meena's parents communicate when they wish to speak privately in front of her? |
|
[ ] |
Urdu |
[x] |
Punjabi |
[ ] |
French |
[ ] |
Swedish |
|
|
3.
|
Who imprisoned Meena's grandfather for four years? |
|
[ ] |
His father |
[ ] |
His brother |
[ ] |
Local priests |
[x] |
The British |
|
|
4.
|
Which of the following is correct? |
|
[ ] |
Meena thinks of herself only as belonging to Tollington |
[x] |
Meena thinks of herself as both Indian and a West-Midlander |
[ ] |
Meena thinks of herself only as Indian |
[ ] |
Meena thinks of herself only as British |
|
|
5.
|
The young Meena is usually protected from hearing her parents', aunties' and uncles' stories of living through Partition. What is meant by this term? |
|
[ ] |
The British Empire's colonisation of India |
[ ] |
The British Empire's colonisation of Pakistan |
[ ] |
The division of India under the British Empire into two independent sates, India and Bangladesh |
[x] |
The division of India under the British Empire into two independent states, India and Pakistan |
|
|
6.
|
"Once, after I had heard papa and the Uncles getting very angry over someone they referred to as 'That Powell Bastard with his bloody rivers' and had added, 'If he wants to send us back, let him come and damn well try!' I had asked mama if the cases were ready in case we had to escape back to India at short notice." Who is meant by "That Powell Bastard"? |
|
[x] |
Enoch Powell |
[ ] |
Eric Powell |
[ ] |
Enid Powell |
[ ] |
Erwin Powell |
|
|
7.
|
What is Jackie? |
|
[ ] |
A weekly pop show on television |
[ ] |
The title of a popular romance novel from the 1960s |
[ ] |
A weekly pop radio programme |
[x] |
A British magazine for teens |
|
|
8.
|
After Auntie Shaila berates the family for allowing her to attend Sunday School and Meena expresses regret at not having a shrine at home, where does Meena's mother take her? |
|
[x] |
The gurdwara in Birmingham |
[ ] |
A Hindu temple in Birmingham |
[ ] |
The Methodist church in Birmingham |
[ ] |
A mosque in Birmingham |
|
|
9.
|
Which of the following is NOT a television programme Meena watches? |
|
[ ] |
Top of the Pops |
[ ] |
Cartoons |
[x] |
Only Fools and Horses |
[ ] |
The news |
|
|
10.
|
Meera Syal described Anita and Me as semi-autobiographical. What does this mean? |
|
[ ] |
The novel tells the story of Syal's childhood, exactly as it happened |
[x] |
The novel tells a story based on Syal's childhood, with some fictionalised elements |
[ ] |
The novel is entirely fictional |
[ ] |
The novel is Meena's biography |
|
|