Seen Through Context

Seen Through Context

Dorothy Allison’s essay “Context” (1994) explores the idea of having knowledge of someone's background and social life but not truly being able to understand their history without contextualizing it. She provides intimate details of her personal life by using flashbacks of her  experiences as part of a  working class family growing up in South Carolina. Her lover’s interpretation of her upbringing was enhanced when she was immersed in the environment where she grew up. Allison uses these flashbacks and experiences to show that people can make assumptions based on words but need context to truly have perspective. The author personalizes the essay to appeal to regular people who can relate to her experiences and background.

I felt very dejected after reading this essay. I can totally relate to being blind without the awareness that context provides. Just like Dorothy I have worried that someone may see me differently without an understanding of my experiences and life. I was afraid that people would judge me because of how I look and sound when I talk. For example, when I was in middle school students judged each other based on how they dressed without regard for the person’s situation. The hope is that people try to learn more about others’ backgrounds before judging them and making assumptions. We own our experiences without the negative sense of shame for things beyond our control.

The author uses previous experiences in her essay to express the fear of negative assumptions by others. In the Greenville area where Dorothy’s aunt lives they are very southern with traditional values. She fears that her family will not accept her lover and that her lover will not fit in with her family. As her lover explains that she now has a deeper understanding of her family due to context, Dorothy begins to think of past family events and felt ashamed. “I was afraid that she might see me through new eyes, hateful eyes, the eyes of someone who suddenly knew fully how different we were” (Dorothy par 1). In her experience she was afraid of her lover finding out who she really was and how they grew up was very much the opposite. These moments of judgement that she fears radiates the notion of not belonging. 

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Allison,Dorothy. "Context." Connections: Guide to First Year Writing @ Clayton State University. Ed. Mary Lamb. 6th Edition. South Lake: 20            .