Which detail should most likely be cited in a historical criticism of a literary work?
the author's use of dialogue in the literary work
the impact the literary work has on modern audiences
the popular cultural trends of the time when the work was written
the audience that the literary work is likely to reach in the future

The detail that is most likely to be cited in a historical criticism of a literary work is the one contained in the third option: the popular cultural trends of the time when the work was written.

The historical criticism of a literary work is a type of interpretation of a text based on the context in which it was written. Context not only refers to the historical aspect, but also to the social, cultural and political conditions of a certain time. Therefore, it is appropriate to include details about the popular cultural trends of the time when that work was written in order to discuss in what way those cultural trends influenced the author and the text that is being studied.

the penalty for defying creon's decree is death, as can be seen in the tragedy. if you do obey him however, all is forgiven

11-32. the main character in the parable, the forgiving father, whose character remains constant throughout the story, is a picture of god. in telling the story, jesus identifies himself with god in his loving attitude to the lost. the younger son symbolizes the lost (the tax collectors and sinners of that day, luke 15: 1), and the elder brother represents the self-righteous (the pharisees and teachers of the law of that day, luke 15: 2). the major theme of this parable seems not to be so much the conversion of the sinner, as in the previous two parables of luke 15, but rather the restoration of a believer into fellowship with the father. in the first two parables, the owner went out to look for what was lost (luke 15: 1-10), whereas in this story the father waits and watches eagerly for his son's return. we see a progression through the three parables from the relationship of one in a hundred (luke 15: 1-7), to one in ten (luke 15: 8-10), to one in one (luke 15: 11-32), demonstrating god’s love for each individual and his personal attentiveness towards all humanity. we see in this story the graciousness of the father overshadowing the sinfulness of the son, as it is the memory of the father’s goodness that brings the prodigal son to repentance (romans 2: 4).