words in English have double or multiple meanings. One word can have a both a “denotation” and a “connotation”.
Poetry finds creative and innovative ways of expressing ideas and emotions. In ordinary usage, language is used in a limited sense. Only the obvious meaning is evoked. This meaning is known as denotative meaning. In poetry however the indirect meaning of words and sentences are implied. This meaning is known as connotative meaning.
DENOTATION
The direct meaning of a word. It is also called literal or dictionary meaning.
The denotation of the word “bird” is a winged creature that can fly. Similarly
denotation signifies a definite idea or concept.
CONNOTATION
The indirect or implied meaning of a word or context. It is the suggestion or the associated implication of the word.
Example :
''Home is the place where, when you have to go there,
They have to take you in''.
( Robert Frost: “The Death of the Hired Man”)
“Home” literally means a roofed structure to live in (denotation) but its connotative meaning, as it is suggested here, may be peace, intimacy, family bond, etc.
Thus, a “bird” is a winged creature (denotation) but the connotation of the word “bird” may be freedom, or sweet voice; “island” is piece of land surrounded by water (denotation) but its connotation is “isolated” as in the sentence “Every man is an island in a crowded city”. Connotative meanings may be positive or negative.
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