Why is it important to look at McNeill work in the historical context in which it was written?

On april 20, 1814, the dethroned emperor left france for the isle of  elba, where he was exiled under the terms of the treaty of fontainebleau.napoleon  would be allowed to ruleelba, which had 12,000 inhabitants. perhaps cruelly, the treaty allowed him to retain the title "emperor."