Connotation

Connotation is an intricate term in linguistics and semiotics closely linked to literature. 

Simply put, it is the secondary meaning of a word, and the receiver's abstract understanding of it is based on social association acknowledgement. 

Oxford English Dictionary defines the term Connotation as "the idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning" ("Connotation").

Another dictionary definition by Encyclopaedia Britannica is that "Connotation refers to the implied or associative meaning of a word, which goes beyond its literal definition" ("Connotation").

One of the non-literary examples of connotation is the word "home".
The primary meaning (denotation) is a place where someone lives - a physical building, however, its connotation includes the abstract feelings of warmth, safety, comfort and/or belonging. When people use the word "home", they often link it with emotions and memories - family-wise and love-wise; it encompasses more than just the physical state.

Another non-literary example is the word "dove".
As the primary meaning is an animal from the bird family, "dove" can also be understood as the name of the American beauty company "Dove".

For literary examples, there is a perfect depiction of connotation in Shakespeare's Macbeth. When Macbeth speaks of blood, it not only symbolizes the physical act of murder, but it also links with the deep moral implications of his actions. Therefore, the word "blood" means more than just guilt and violence.  

Also, in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the "green light" is not only the literal meaning - the light at the end of Daisy Buchana's dock, but it also symbolizes the aspiration, longing and elusive reality of the American Dream. It could also mean the greenish colour of banknotes.

One example of connotation is a humorous scene from the film, Cars 2.
The whole conversation consists of the misinterpretation of the word "bomb". Sir Tow Mater says to Lightning McQueen that he is a bomb (having a literal bomb screwed onto his hood) and Lightning McQueen agrees with him to save their friendship not knowing of the literal and physical bomb on Sir Tow Mater. 

Here is a link to a YouTube video - with the correct time of the scene being 1:26 - 1:40: Cars 2 - Mater getting away from McQueen

Works Cited:

Oxford English Dictionary. "Connotation." Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, 2023,
www.oed.com/view/Entry/39720.

 "Connotation." Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., 2023,
www.britannica.com/topic/connotation.

Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Penguin, 1967.

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Penguin Books, 2019.

“Cars 2.” Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2011.

Ultimate, Veggieboy. "Cars 2 - Mater getting away from McQueen." Youtube, 6 Sept 2023;
https://youtu.be/mCGcE7dlDEY?t=86.

author of the page: Tereza Nacherová, 563516