Which statement best describes the relationship between text and culture in interpretation?

• A. It should ignore cultural context
• B. It should focus only on the text's internal structure
• C. It should connect the text with its cultural context
• D. It should be governed solely by critical fashion

Answer: (C)

Understanding meaning comes from the relationship between what a text says and the culture that surrounds it. Texts are created within cultures and carry shared beliefs, values, and power dynamics, while readers bring their own cultural backgrounds to interpretation. By connecting the text to its cultural context, you can see references, symbols, and themes that rely on history, social norms, and collective knowledge, making interpretation richer and more accurate. Ignoring culture misses these layers, focusing only on internal structure overlooks social meaning, and letting interpretation be driven by fleeting critical fashions reduces reading to trends rather than thoughtful engagement with context.