Connotation (of Words) - Definition and Examples

Connotation refers to the emotional implications and associations that a word may carry, in contrast to its denotative (or literal) meanings. Verb: connote. Adjective: connotative. Also called intension or sense. The connotation of a word can be positive, negative, or neutral. It can also be either cultural or personal. Heres an example: To most people the word cruise connotes--suggests--a delightful holiday; thus its cultural connotation is positive. If you get seasick, however, the word may connote only discomfort to you; your personal connotation is negative.(Vocabulary by Doing, 2001) In his book Patterns and Meanings (1998), Alan Partington observes that connotation is a problem area for learners of a language: [Because] it is an important mechanism for the expression of attitude, it is of paramount importance that learners be aware of it in order to grasp the illocutionary intent of messages. Etymology:  From the Latin, mark along with Examples and Observations In the East the wilderness has no evil connotation; it is thought of as an expression of the unity and harmony of the universe.(William O. Douglas)Exercise addiction.It sounds like an oxymoron--exercise has a healthy connotation, while addiction sounds negative.But experts are seeing some people abuse a healthy lifestyle--and for one Los Angeles woman, the addiction lasted nearly 20 years.(Jessica Ryen Doyle, Woman Battles Exercise Addiction for Nearly 20 Years. Fox News.com, October 17, 2012)In the real world, procrastination has a negative connotation.People who leave things to the last minute are often characterized as lazy, unprepared and inefficient.In professional sports, though, procrastination isn’t a label to be ashamed about. In fact, putting things off until the last possible moment might be the sign of a true champion.(Ian Mendes, Procrastinate Like a Champion. Ottawa Citizen, October 15, 2012)Debt is a four letter word. For many people it has the same connotation as many other four letter words. However, not all debt is bad. . . . In general terms good debt is defined as debt that allows someone to invest in the future such as business loans, student loans, mortgages and real estate loans.(How to Know When Debt Is a Four Letter Word. MarketWatch, October 17, 2012)Stimulus is Washington talk, said Rahm Emanuel, the coming White House chief of staff with a sandpapered-fingertip sensitivity to the familiar connotation of words. Economic recovery is how the American people think of it.(William Safire, Recovery. The New York Times, Dec. 12, 2008)Synonyms and ConnotationsA group of synonyms cannot by definition be distinguished in terms of their denotation, but they usually display noticeable differences of connotation, as in the case of car, automobile, runabout, buggy, banger, bus, hot rod, jalopy, old crock, racer, and so on.(David Crystal, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge University Press, 2003)A Rose by Any Other Name- Mr. Powers: Jones. I dont like that name. Its going to handicap you, young man. Now wait a minute. Ive got some sort of a name here. Yes. Haverstock. Huntley Haverstock. Sounds a little more important, dont you think, Mr. Fisher?Mr. Fisher: Oh, yes, yes. Very dashing.Mr. Powers: . . . Well, speak up young man. You dont mind being Huntley Haverstock, do you?Johnny Jones: A rose by any name, sir.(Harry Davenport, George Sanders, and Joel McCrea in Foreign Correspondent, 1940)- What’s Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,Nor arm, nor face, nor any other partBelonging to a man. O! be some other name:What’s in a name? that which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet.(Juliet in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare)- Lisa: A rose by any other name smells as sweet.Bart: Not if you call them Stench Blossoms.(The Simpsons)Light CigarettesAltria said it had used terms like light as well as packaging colors to connote different tastes, not safety. But study a fter study--including ones by the industry disclosed in tobacco lawsuits--has shown consumers believe the terms and colors connote a safer product.(Duff Wilson, Coded to Obey Law, Lights Become Marlboro Gold. The New York Times, Feb. 18, 2010)Pork Butt or Boston Roast?In an effort to boost sales going into the grilling season and make shopping at the meat counter a bit easier, the pork and beef industries are retooling more than 350 names of meat cuts to give them more sizzle and consumer appeal. . . .[By summer,] the pork chop will be gone. Instead, grocery retailers could be stocking stacks of porterhouse chops, ribeye chops and New York chops. The pork butt -- which actually comes from shoulder meat--will be called a Boston roast.(New Meat Names Mean Bye Bye, Pork Chop; Hello, Ribeye. Chicago Tribune, April 10, 2013)ReservationThe name reservation has a negative connotation among Native Americans--an intern camp of sorts.(John Russell)TribeSince tribe has assumed a connotation of primitiveness or backwardness, it is suggested that the use of nation or people replace the term whenever possible in referring to Native American peoples.(R. B. Moore, Racism in the English Language, in The Production of Reality, ed. J. OBrien, 2005)Socialism and Capitalism[For many], socialism implies egalitarianism and that people are living for society, while capitalism has been given the connotation of materialism, greedy, selfish, self-serving, and so on.(Milton Friedman)Denotation and Connotation in a Poem by E.A. RobinsonIn the following poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson, distinguish between the denotative and connotative meanings of the words in italics.Richard Cory (1897)Whenever Richard Cory went down town,We people on the pavement looked at him:He was a gentleman from sole to crown,Clean favored, and imperially slim.And he was always quietly arrayed,And he was always human when he talked;But still he fluttered pulses when he said,Good-morning, and he glittered when he wa lked.And he was rich--yes, richer than a king,And admirably schooled in every grace:In fine, we thought that he was everythingTo make us wish that we were in his place.So on we worked, and waited for the light,And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,Went home and put a bullet through his head.Denotation and Connotation in a Poem by Henry David ThoreauIn the following poem we have italicized a number of key words whose connotative meaning directs our response to the images. Although the poem is mostly images--the overt commentary is confined to the first two lines--the poets attitude is anything but neutral.Pray to What Earth Does This Sweet Cold Belongby Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)Pray to what earth does this sweet cold belong,Which asks no duties and no conscience?The moon goes up by leaps, her cheerful pathIn some far summer stratum of the sky,While stars with their cold shine bedot her way.The fields gleam mildly back upon the s ky,And far and near upon the leafless shrubsThe snow dust still emits a silver light.Under the hedge, where drift banks are their screen,The titmice now pursue their downy dreams,As often in the sweltering summer nightsThe bee doth drop asleep in the flower cup,When evening overtakes him with his load.By the brooksides, in the still, genial night,The more adventurous wanderer may hearThe crystals shoot and form, and winter slowIncrease his rule by gentlest summer means.(David Bergman and Daniel Mark Epstein, The Heath Guide to Literature. D.C. Heath, 1984)The Lighter Side of Connotations: Purses and HandbagsWhy is it a handbag instead of a purse?The General simultaneously rolled her eyes and released a tired sigh. A purse is a cheap, plastic discount store thing. A handbag is what contemporary, fashion-conscious women carry. And thats what we sell. Expensive designer handbags. An assortment of the latest trends and must-have famous names. They are handbags and you need to refer to them that way. You can say bag for short, but never, ever, ever say the word purse Its an insult to the exclusive designers we carry. Got it?Got it.But I didnt really get it. The whole thing sounded kind of snooty and stupid.(Freeman Hall, Retail Hell: How I Sold My Soul to the Store. Adams Media, 2009)The Lighter Side of Connotations: PantiesTheres a certain light connotation attached to the word panties. Can we find another name for them?(Joseph N. Welch as Judge Weaver in Anatomy of a Murder, 1959) Pronunciation: kon-no-TAY-shun Also known as: affective meaning, intensional meaning Also see: Choosing the Best Words: Denotations and ConnotationsAssociative MeaningBertrand Russell on the Connotative Power of WordsConceptual MeaningCommonly Confused Words:  Connotation  and  DenotationCommonly Confused Words:  Connote  and  DenoteDysphemism  and  EuphemismGlittering GeneralitiesLoaded WordsOrthophemismParadiastolePejorative LanguagePhonaestheticsReflected MeaningSemanticsSemioticsSnarl Words Purr WordsSubtextSynonym  and  SynonymyUsage NoteWord ChoiceWriters on Writing: Ten Tips for Finding the Right Words

Terrorism and Moral Panic in America Essay - 1650 Words

Societies will always have problems that cause some sort of reaction from individuals who believe that their social stability is being endangered. There have been a number of moral panics which have captivated society in terror and more often than not, owing to unfamiliarity. This essay will discuss the perception of a moral panic and will look at the case of the September 11th Terrorist attack against the United States of America, which triggered a colossal conflict of morality within modern day society. This essay will also analyse terrorism as a perceived deviance, the role of the moral entrepreneur and folk devil, in order to develop a level of understanding to the causes of this particular moral panic and its effects on society. A†¦show more content†¦Moral panics do not occur spontaneously, they are a result of an intricate interplay of behaviours and responses (Muzzatti Rothe, 2004: 329). The media and moral entrepreneurs often tend to stir up the general public in defining deviant behaviour (Becker, 1963: 147). Subsequently, President Bush can be labelled as a moral entrepreneur, owing to his actions and ideals after the 9/11 attack. Moral entrepreneurs are individuals, like President Bush, who construct deviant behaviour based on observation. Thus, moral entrepreneurs deem social problems serious enough to warrant an immediate action plan. The main objective of moral entrepreneurship is to persuade society to buy into policies necessary for justice. After 9/11, President Bush’s administration and the media started an initiative to save the â€Å"American identity† and in so doing corrupt serious thoughts about the Middle East and Islam. Therefore, based on the â€Å"perceived threat†, security was heightened and media coverage was extensive in propagation. By increasing the fear factor amongst citizens, President Bush received extensive power as well as legitimacy to come up with a solution to solve America’s crisis. Every so often the moral panic passes over and is ancient history at other times it has more severe and long lasting ramification and might create changes such as those in legalShow MoreRelatedTerrorism and Political Violence by Alex Schmid1312 Words   |  5 Pages Terrorism can be defined and viewed in many different ways. As discussed in â€Å"Terrorism and Political Violence,† by Alex Schmid, there are multiple frameworks in which terrorism can be defined (Schmid 2010, 197). In Schmid’s article, he discusses the five ways he feels terrorism can be looked at, terrorism as/and politics, terrorism as/and crime, terrorism as/and warfare, terrorism as/and communication and terrorism as/and religious fundamentalism (Schmid 2010, 197). 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Sin And Virtue Used In Stephen Essay Example For Students

Sin And Virtue Used In Stephen Essay It is not surprising for an authors background and surroundings to profoundly affect his writing. Having come from a Methodist lineage and living at a time when the church was still an influential facet in peoples daily lives, Stephen Crane was deeply instilled with religious dogmas. However, fear of retribution soon turned to cynicism and criticism of his idealistic parents God, the wrathful Jehovah of the Old Testament (Stallman 16), as he was confronted with the harsh realities of war as a journalistic correspondent. Making extensive use of religious metaphors and allusions in The Blue Hotel (1898), Crane thus explores the interlaced themes of the sin and virtue. Ironically, although he disbelieved it and hated it, Crane simply could not free himself from the religious background that haunted his entire life (Stallman 5). His father, a well-respected reverend in New Jersey, advocated Bible reading and preached the right way. Similarly, his mother, who lived in and for religion, was influential in Methodist church affairs as a speaker and a journalist in her crusade against the vices of her sinful times (Stallman 5). This emotional frenzy of revival Methodism had a strong impact on young Stephen. Nonetheless, he falling short of his parents expectations on moral principles and spiritual outlook chose to reject and defy all those abstract religious notions and sought to probe instead into lifes realities. Moreover, Cranes genius as an observer of psychological and social reality (Baym 1608) was refined after witnessing battle sights during the late 19th century. What he saw was a stark contrast of the peacefulness and morality preached in church and this thus led him to religious rebelliousness. As a prisoner to his surroundings, man (a soldier) is physically, emotionally, and psychologically challenged by natures indifference to humankind. For instance, in the story, what traps the Swede is his fixed idea of his environment, but in the end, it is the environment itself comprised of the Blue Hotel, Sculley, Johnnie, Cowboy Bill, the Easterner, and the saloon gambler that traps him (Stallman 488). To further illustrate how religion permeated into Cranes writing, many scenes from The Blue Hotel can be cited. Similar to the biblical Three Wise Men (Stallman 487), three individuals out of the East came traveling to Palace Hotel at Fort Romper. The issue explored is the search for identity and the desire of an outsider (the Swede) to define himself through conflict with a society. Referring then to the martyr-like Swede, who is convinced that everyone is against him, the Easterner says . .. he thinks hes right in the middle of hell (Crane 1633). On the contrary, the Blue Hotel can be seen as a church, with its proprietor Patrick Scully who looks curiously like an old priest and who vows that a guest under my roof has sacred privileges (Crane 1634). Personification of a wrathful God is portrayed when the guests are escorted through the portals of a room that seemed to be merely a proper temple for an enormous stovehumming with god-like violence (Crane 1627). Additionally, alluding to baptism, the guests then formed part of a series of small ceremonies by washing themselves in the basins of water (Crane 1627). To further prove the innocence of his building, Scully points out the pictures of his little girl on the wall (Crane 1632). All in all, in contrast to the safe haven of the hotel, the reality is that hell turns out to be the red-lighted town saloon where the Swede is eventually murdered. Another recurring topic in Cranes writing is the responsibility for a mans death. .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422 , .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422 .postImageUrl , .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422 , .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422:hover , .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422:visited , .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422:active { border:0!important; } .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422:active , .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422 .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uc2e7b7d094f8bfca6e3013ab85f61422:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Analysis of One Flew over the Cuckoo Essay For not acting upon his knowledge of Johnnies sin (his lying and cheating at the card game), the Easterner is portrayed as a betrayer, with guilt eating him inside. At the beginning, no one at the hotel would discuss fear or death with the Swede. Thus, in repentance on his part, the Easterner comments, Every sin is the result of a collaboration (Crane 1645). Indeed, in the end, the conspiracy of silence between the 5 men involved in the murder leads to a brutal result: The Swede losses fear and gains death (Solomon 257-258). A rhetorical question is left then for the reader to reflect upon, posed innocently by the Cowboy, Well, I didnt do anythin, did I? (Crane 1645). In conclusion, it can be seen that through the exploration of responsibility, guilt, betrayal, and repentance Stephen Crane develops the theme that man is alone in a hostile society and nature. The virtuous religious dogmas cannot always explain and help make sense of the cruel realities that each of us faces. Thus, it is only through trusting the God of ones inner thoughts (Stallman 16) that one can hope to cope with and survive in this brutal world.

The spark of life Review Essay Example

The spark of life Review Paper Essay on The spark of life What remains in people choke in the fiery maelstrom of war What remains of people who have taken away the hope, love -? And, in fact, even life itself What is left for people who do not just nothing left? Just something a spark of life. Weak, but unquenchable. The spark of life that gives people the power to smile at deaths door. Spark of light in darkness The action of the novel takes place in one of the concentration camps in Germany. On one side are the supporters of fascism, pawn of Hitler, on the other -. Concentration camp prisoners We will write a custom essay sample on The spark of life Review specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The spark of life Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The spark of life Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer It is no accident Remarque describes the time of the end of the war, which as expected skeletons. Unfortunately, very few people get to see, feel life, freedom behind barbed wire. The main character (although there are no secondary characters Remarque in fact) is the skeleton under the number 509. He is one of the first who came to the concentration camp Mellern. . More than 10 years Martyrdom SS did their job: many of the prisoners have long ceased to feel like people, both physically and mentally. And Erich Maria Remarque often nazyvvaet their skeletons. From the SS caught me Obersturmbannfà ¼hrer Neubauer. At first, he even liked me. Notable for humanity (as though it may sound funny), in contrast to other CC. But at the end of the book, it became clear that he cowards. He was trying to get leniency, because war was drawing to an end. Berger, Bucher, Ruth, Lebental, Ahasuerus, Levinsky, a boy Karel Damn it, they all deserve to live, but five hundred and nine still more. But why? Remarque why kill him? Why? Each time to kill one of the main characters .. I do not want revenge, whispered Rosen -. I want to get out of here toleo .