Serial Episode 1 Exercise 2 Connotation
Background
Some of our narrator’s word choice in the first episode gives us a great opportunity to teach how to read for
connotative value. Some of the individual words and phrases have relatively clear connotative meaning in
themselves; furthermore, her habitual use of euphemisms can betray a certain perspective, if not outright
bias. This recognition is especially significant in the first chapter/episode of a narrative. Incidentally, many of
the online discussions continue to debate whether we should trust the narrator as a completely objective
reporter.
Questions
1. What does it mean when someone is “loosey-goosey” with details (8:09)? How is the denotation and
connotation different from “lying” or “committing perjury”?
When someone is described as “loosey-goosey” with details, it means that they are not very precise or
accurate in their communication or actions, and they may be careless or lack attention to detail. The
denotation of “loosey-goosey” suggests that the person is not intentionally lying or committing perjury.
Instead, it implies a lack of focus or attention to detail, which can lead to mistakes or misunderstandings.
The connotation of this term would be leaving certain details out of a story and “loosey goosey” although
they attempt to tell the truth, which is not the same as lying or committing perjury.
2. How is a “teeny weeny bag of marijuana” (6:58) different than “a small amount of drugs”?
The phrase "teeny weeny bag of marijuana" is an informal way of referring to a very small quantity of
marijuana. It connotes a sense of lightheartedness or even insignificance, and may be used in a joking or
dismissive manner.
On the other hand, the phrase "a small amount of drugs" is a more neutral and general way of referring to
any small quantity of drugs. Having a small amount of drugs can be interpreted as a much more serious
offence and you can be placed in jail for such actions.
While both phrases refer to a small quantity of drugs, the connotation and specificity of the language used is
different.
3. What does the narrator mean when she says Adnan and his friends were “healthy American
teenagers who were going to do what teenagers do, so long as they didn't get caught” (10:00)?
The narrator is suggesting that Adnan and his friends were behaving in ways that are typical of teenagers.
They may have engaged in activities such as smoking marijuana or skipping school, but these actions did
not necessarily make them bad people or criminals. In other words, the narrator meant that Adnan and his
friends were displaying common behaviour among teenagers who may engage in risky or rebellious
behaviour but want to avoid punishment from parents, teachers, or law enforcement.
4. The state portrays Adnan as “duplicitous.” Sarah and Saad phrase it differently: “We all grew up with
that dual personality” that comes with being a “normal kid with immigrant parents” (10:00). What’s
the difference in denotation? What’s the difference in connotation? Does this difference show up in
your own life?
The state's portrayal of Adnan as "duplicitous" implies that he was intentionally two-faced in his actions and
interactions with others. The denotation of "duplicitous" is negative and suggests that someone is
deliberately dishonest. On the other hand, Sarah and Saad's description of growing up with a "dual
personality" as a result of having immigrant parents suggests that there may be some other factors that
contribute to this behaviour. The denotation of "dual personality" is more neutral and suggests that there
may be a difference between one's public and private personalities. The connotation of "duplicitous" is
negative and suggests that someone who is duplicitous is morally untrustworthy. On the other hand, the
connotation of "dual personality" is less negative and suggests that someone with a dual personality may be
trying to navigate conflicting cultural or social expectations.
In my own life, I have experienced situations where I felt like I had to present a different version of myself to
be accepted by a particular group of people.
5. The narrator notes that Adnan was asleep when the cops arrested him and took him to the
interrogation room (12:32). Why does this detail matter in an artistic sense? (What would be lost if
she just started the scene in the interrogation room?)
The detail that Adnan was asleep when he was arrested and taken to the interrogation room is important in
an artistic sense because it adds a layer of vulnerability and innocence to his character. This detail allows
the audience to sympathize with Adnan and view him as a victim of circumstance rather than a criminal.
6. The narrator describes Adnan as having “big brown eyes, like a dairy cow” (19:45). What is the
connotative meaning of this?
The large eyes of the cow portrays Adnan’s innocence and how he can be compared to an innocent and
poor cow. This connotes that Adnan is too pure to be blamed as the convict for the crime like an innocent
cow.
7. Look at your answers to the previous questions in this section. What is the cumulative impact of the
narrator’s diction? In other words, can you detect a bias in her description, or a way that she wants
the listener to react?
Upon reviewing my previous answers in this section, I can detect a possible bias in the narrator’s diction. I
would say that the narrator’s diction in the podcast implies that Adnan is innocent. According to her
description of Adnan’s actions in questions 5 and 6, I think she is trying to suggest that Adnan had nothing
to do with the crime and he was arrested wrongfully.