Question

which statement best describes the similarities between the feminist and historical approaches to literary analysis?
both limit analysis to the words on the page rather than considering factors that influenced the author.
neither considers how social forces affect the literary work.
neither considers where and when the author lived or how those factors affected the literary work.
both consider how cultural and political forces affect the literary work.

Explanation:

Feminist literary analysis examines how gender - related cultural and political forces shape a literary work. Historical literary analysis looks at the historical (which includes cultural and political) context in which a work was written. So, both consider how cultural and political forces affect the literary work.
The first option is incorrect because feminist and historical approaches do consider factors beyond the text. The second option is wrong as both do consider social forces (which are intertwined with cultural and political forces). The third option is incorrect since historical approach (and to some extent, feminist approach which is influenced by historical gender norms) does consider where and when the author lived.

Answer:

Both consider how cultural and political forces affect the literary work.