Final answer:
The real-life and surrounding circumstances of a story is called its historical context. Analyzing the historical context helps readers understand the background and conditions that influenced the text.
Step-by-step explanation:
The real-life and surrounding circumstances of a story is called its historical context. Historical context refers to the social, cultural, and political background within which a text was written, providing important background information and indicating the influential conditions that produced the text. By analyzing the historical context, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the story, its characters, and the author's intentions.