The essence of literature

3. Connotative vs denotative language

Meaning in literature can be read at two levels:

*Denotative language:  is the true, authentic, and literal meaning of a word as it is strictly defined in a dictionary.

   -The Oxford Dictionary defines the word “home” as “The place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.”

*Connotative language: It refers to the figurative, imaginative and emotional association surrounding a word. I.e. the first impressions we have when we hear the word.

   -Home refers to comfort, love, warmth, safety, affection, childhood, nostalgia, roots, family, identity, souvenirs...etc.

4 English literature