Connotations in Poetry
Parlindungan Pardede
In previous posts it has been explained that poetry is a literary genre that evokes a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience or a specific emotional response through language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm. Poetry communicates experience or a specific emotional response through condensed expressions. Therefore, it says more and says it more intensely than does ordinary language. To achieve this, poetry maximizes the use of both denotative and connotative meanings.
Particularly in poetry, connotation is very important because it is one of the means by which meaning is concentrated or enriched. That is why connotation is often called the lifeblood of poetry. By means of connotations, poets are able to say more in fewer words. Connotations also make it possible for poets to ‘paint pictures’ or create a strong image or feeling. On the other hand, the use of connotations will make the readers become naturally more involved with the words of the poem because their mind is caused to do a little extra ‘work’ in finding the meaning; and this deepens the effect the poem creates.
To see how connotations play a great role in poetry, read the following poem, try to figure out the connotation of words in blue, and study the explanation below it.
There is No Frigate Like a Book
There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any courses like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears the human soul.
(Emily Dickinson, 1830-1886)
Explanation:
In There is No Frigate Like a Book Emily Dickinson is considering the power of a book of poetry to transmit us from our immediate surroundings into a world of the imagination. To do it, she compares poetry to various means of transportation: a boat, a team of horses, and a wheeled land vehicle. But she is very careful to choose kinds of transportation and names for them that have romantic connotations. Frigate suggests exploration and adventure; coursers, beauty, spirit, and speed; chariot, speed and the ability to go through the air as well as on land. How much of the meaning of the poem comes from this selection of vehicles and words is apparent if we try to substitute for them, say, steamship, horses, and streetcar.
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1. Connotation and denotation of the poem:
a. ‘leaps up’ means bound (denno.) and happy (conno.)
b. ‘rainbow’ means curve of many colors seen in the sky after raining (denno.) and beauty (conno.)
c. ‘sky’ means space above the earth (denno.) and the whole nature (conno.)
d. ‘man’ in ‘The child is father of the man’ means an adult man (denno.) and the nature (conno.)
e. ‘father of the man’ means male parent of man (denno.) and protecting and caring the nature (conno.)
f. ‘days’ means period of 24 hours (denno.) and life (conno.)
2. The general meaning of the poem is that the poem tells us about the man that loves nature so much. He feels that the nature is a part of his life. He loves the nature since he was young until he died. He wishes he could always be a child, because he thinks that children always love the nature.
The detailed meaning of the poem:
“My heart leaps up when I behold / A rainbow in the sky” means he loves the beauty of nature.
“So was it when my life began” means he started to love nature when he was just born.
“So is it now I am a man: / So be it when I shall grow old, / Or let me die!” means the feeling will always stay in his heart until he died.
“The child is father of the man;” means children is always close to nature
“And I could wish my days to be / Bound each to each by natural piety” means he hopes he can always love the nature like the children do.
Intention: The writer calls us to love the nature in our whole life, because the nature always gives the best for human.
Denotation
A). Denotation and connotation
1. A rainbow is a different color in the sky and radiate beauty when the rain stopped
2. when a baby is born on earth, continues to grow will grow large, mature, grow old and die. then our lives should be run well and have faith.
3. natural need of our attention
Connotation
1. A rainbow is the light or the spirit of your initial start living.
2. Days are Life and time of someone.
3. do a lot of your day with honesty, selfless, planting trees, and maintaining cleanliness around you.
B. State the general meaning: God gave a perfect creation of nature and human
detailed meaning : God gives us new hope, excitement, happiness and we do the best for the nature around
The aim of the author: The author tries to tell readers about the love of God because human life is only temporary, do a lot of charity, a lot of worship. God’s love never changes.
Hello Sir…I am sorry because I do this task too late.
Sir, I try to answer the questions although it is very difficult for me.
and once again…I am sorry if I make some mistake in my answers.
Thank You very much. GBU
Denotation
1). Denotation and connotation
1. A rainbow is a curved shape of different colours seen in the sky when rain is falling and sun is shining.
2. Days are periods of 24 hours from Monday after Sunday.
3. Natural is not involving anything or done by people.
Connotation
1. A rainbow is a new hope.
2. Days are Life and time of someone.
3. Natural piety is the pure love, honesty, and sincerity.
2). State the general meaning, detailed meaning, and intention of the writer
a. General meaning: God is never changed.
b. Detailed meaning:
A rainbow in the sky means a new hope or happiness from God.
The child is father of the man means Jesus Christ when He is still baby.
c. Intention of the writer: The writer tries to tell the reader about love of God because human life is very short but God’s love never changed.
Dear all attendees of Literature 1,
After studying the above article, please read the following poem and answer the questions that follow.
My Heart Leaps up When I Behold
My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man:
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The child is father of the man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.
(William Wordsworth)
1) Identify every word/phrase that has both denotation and connotation, and state these meanings. For instance, the word ‘heart’ means the body organ which pumps blood (deno.) and feeling (conno.).
2) State the general meaning, detailed meaning, and intention of the writer.
Good Luck!