Denotation and Connotation

1
Denotation and Connotation

• Notes from chapter 3 of Perrines 1956 version of
  Sound and Sense An Introduction to Poetry

2
3 Component Parts to a Word

• Soundcombination of tones and noises.
• Denotationthe dictionary meaning or meanings of
  the word.
• Connotationwhat the word suggests beyond what it
  expresses.
• (Read and discuss There is no frigate like a
  book.)

3
Precision in Language

• Words
• can have multiple connotations
• can also have multiple denotations (multiple
  definitions in the dictionary)
• This is the time of the wild spring and the
  mating of tigers.Edith Sitwell
• What can spring denote in this line?
• What connotations does the word tigers have?
• (Read and discuss The World is Too Much With
  Us.)

4
Ambiguity and Multiplicity

• Practical Language
• Scientific languagethe purest practical language
• Denotation only
• SO2H2OH2SO3
• Multi-dimensional Language
• This is needed by a poet
• Adds Connotation and Sound to Denotation
• (Read and discuss Exercise.)