A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Vocabulary Stave One- Denotation and Connotation
Denotation is the literal dictionary definition of a word. Many words can have the same denotation, or definition, but words also have a connotation: an emotional feeling about the word. For example the words thin, skinny, trim, emaciated, slender, lanky, and slim all have the same dictionary definition: of limited size; of slight consistency. However, would you rather be referred to as slender or thin, or emancipated or lanky? The words lender and slim have a positive connotation; the words emaciated and lanky have a negative connotation. In other words, if you were of limited size, you would probably want to be referred to as slender, slim, rather then emaciated or skinny.
Our goal as writers is to explore the use of connotation to enhance our writing. For example, rather then stating, “Kelli walked throughout the room, talking to guest,” we can improve our writing with words with the same denotative meaning, but more accurate or illustrative connotative meaning, such as “Kelli
sauntered throughout the room, gossiping with guests.” Clearly the second sentence gives the reader a more positive, negative, or neutral connotation, which usually produces reactions or feelings with the reader.
Part A You will need a dictionary to complete the following exercise. In each sentence, the vocabulary words from Stave One have been underlined. Below the sentence are four choices, each with the same denotation as the vocabulary word. Using context of the sentence, decide which of the four choices is closest in connotation to the underlined word. Circle the word. Then on the line next to your choice, write “P” for positive or “N” for negative connotation. An example has been done for you.
EX. Oh! He was a tight fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching covetous old sinner! (pg. 2)
________________ a. acquisitive ________________ c. grabby
__________N______ b. greedy ________________ d. avaricious
1.
The city clocks had only just gone three, but it was quite dark already---it had been a long day--and candles were flaring in the windows of the neighboring offices, like ruddy smears upon palpable brown air. (pg.4)
________________ a. distinguishable ________________ c. overwhelming
________________ b. thick ________________ d. detectable
2.
“If I could work my will, “ said Scrooge indignantly, “every idiot who goes about with “Merry
Christmas” on his lips would be boiled in his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.” (pg. 6)
________________ a. insane
________________ b. infuriated
________________ c. frustrated
________________ d. outraged
3.
But I am sure I have always thought of Christmastime, when it has come round---apart from veneration due to its sacred name origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that ---as a good time ; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time… (pg. 6)
________________ a. respect
________________ b. reference
________________ c. regard
________________ d. awe

4.
The water plug being left in solitude, its overflowings suddenly congealed and turned to misanthropic ice. (pg. 11) Hint: Read the whole page.
________________ a. cynical
________________ b. pessimistic
________________ c. despairing
________________ d. contemptible
5.
Scrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action that the singer fled in terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog and even more congenial frost. (pg. 12)
________________ a. palatable ________________ c. dulcet
________________ b. friendly ________________ d. grateful
6.
Scrooge took his melancholy dinner in his usual melancholy tavern; ….(pg. 13)
________________ a. dejection
________________ b. despondency
________________ c. dreariness
________________ d. desolation
7.
…and having read all the newspapers, and beguiled the rest of the evening with his banker’s book, went home to bed.
________________ a. allured
________________ b. bewitched
________________ c. captivated
________________ d. enchanted
8.
It was not an impenetrable shadow, as the other objects in the yard were, but a dismal light about it, like a bad lobster in a dark cellar. (pg. 14)
________________ a. impassable ________________ c. impregnable
________________ b. impermeable ________________ d. impervious
9.
It was not angry or ferocious, but looked at Scrooge as Marley used to look, with ghostly spectacles turned up on its ghostly forehead. (pg. 14)
________________ a. dreadful
________________ b. intense
________________ c. hideous
________________ d. terrifying
10.
The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business. (Pg. 24)
________________ a. courtesy
________________ b. kindness
________________ c. indulgence
________________ d. service