The connotation of a word is the meaning that is implied and suggested by the word rather than the literal definition. Many words have emotional, personal and cultural associations to it, which allow us to have our own interpretation to what is being shown. The prefix con- is a Latin word and it means “together, with”, telling us that connotations of words work with the literal definition.
In Dorothy Porter’s ‘Not the Same’, the poet’s clever use of connotation and imagery helps shape the reader’s interpretation about the poem and how it is about somebody who went through a rough experience, and came out as a stronger person. Porter uses connotations such as ‘black’ and ‘scar’ to depict sadness and pain and to contrast this in the second half of the poem, she uses ‘deep new sea’ and diction such as ‘inviting’ and ‘trust’ to paint a much happier story. Her use of imagery allows us to infer different ideas about the experience of the personas life. …show more content…
It can be inferred that the persona had gone through a burdensome experience, the language being used feeling very constricted. “Black well” paints an image of being trapped somewhere, not being able to get out. The colour black has negative connotations associated with it is used to connote ideas of sadness, depression and perhaps even death. People with depression often say that they cannot snap out of it, this possibly being the personas situation. In the next stanza, a more positive light is already being shown. “Come to” suggests that the persona has ‘awoken’ and is no longer ill but the “long sore scar circling your chest” communicates ideas that deep down, in their heart, the experience -being represented as the “scar”- has left a mark on them forever and will always be
In Dorothy Porter’s ‘Not the Same’, the poet’s clever use of connotation and imagery helps shape the reader’s interpretation about the poem and how it is about somebody who went through a rough experience, and came out as a stronger person. Porter uses connotations such as ‘black’ and ‘scar’ to depict sadness and pain and to contrast this in the second half of the poem, she uses ‘deep new sea’ and diction such as ‘inviting’ and ‘trust’ to paint a much happier story. Her use of imagery allows us to infer different ideas about the experience of the personas life. …show more content…
It can be inferred that the persona had gone through a burdensome experience, the language being used feeling very constricted. “Black well” paints an image of being trapped somewhere, not being able to get out. The colour black has negative connotations associated with it is used to connote ideas of sadness, depression and perhaps even death. People with depression often say that they cannot snap out of it, this possibly being the personas situation. In the next stanza, a more positive light is already being shown. “Come to” suggests that the persona has ‘awoken’ and is no longer ill but the “long sore scar circling your chest” communicates ideas that deep down, in their heart, the experience -being represented as the “scar”- has left a mark on them forever and will always be