How to Use Cultural Theory
In the text, describe the person, practice or object. The focus on material goods allows one to consider the use of cultural artifacts as a complex methodology rather than allowing the reader to generalize on institutional trends. One must place attention on a commodity's functionality and its associations in order to understand a person’s relation to the objects and practices.
Next, the reader must analyze the social context. Subjectivity should be respected because unique experiences shed light on the individual’s relationship to the culture. As the reader can link the the series of events, he is able to produce a narrative that provides meaning for the various factors.
By categorizing and classifying the person, practice, and object, the reader further interprets the events, symbolic meanings and subjective possibilities. The analysis will allow one to make connections to the many dimensions of the society by considering government and warfare, emerging intellectual theories, educational background, economy, artistic movements, social evolution, technological developments, religion and geographical conditions. As one charts a visual that provides a cultural reading, the new interpretation challenges assumptions and allows for a more profound understanding of history, society and culture in relation to today’s world.
Ultimately, cultural theorists analyze a piece of work without prejudice from a particular historical period or group of people. By eliminating bias, the critic is able to relate crucial events, values, and objects from one era to another time, which reveals a new understanding about the phenomena. Flexibility and a comprehensive look at cultural artifacts from the many tiers of life provide the theorist with a more profound lens into literature and the world.
Next, the reader must analyze the social context. Subjectivity should be respected because unique experiences shed light on the individual’s relationship to the culture. As the reader can link the the series of events, he is able to produce a narrative that provides meaning for the various factors.
By categorizing and classifying the person, practice, and object, the reader further interprets the events, symbolic meanings and subjective possibilities. The analysis will allow one to make connections to the many dimensions of the society by considering government and warfare, emerging intellectual theories, educational background, economy, artistic movements, social evolution, technological developments, religion and geographical conditions. As one charts a visual that provides a cultural reading, the new interpretation challenges assumptions and allows for a more profound understanding of history, society and culture in relation to today’s world.
Ultimately, cultural theorists analyze a piece of work without prejudice from a particular historical period or group of people. By eliminating bias, the critic is able to relate crucial events, values, and objects from one era to another time, which reveals a new understanding about the phenomena. Flexibility and a comprehensive look at cultural artifacts from the many tiers of life provide the theorist with a more profound lens into literature and the world.