How does knowing more about the period in history in which a novel is set help you understand the characters and the choices they make?

In shooting an elephant by george orwell how do the burmese view the british

Ok which of peter's lines shows that he is using personal experience to understand the reading?

The moutain stood shoulder to shoulder and glared down at the pasture below, daring anyone to approach. what is the most likely the intent of the author's word choice in this sentence?