Question

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW is that as a kid, I once worked at a pet store. I cleaned the cages of small animals like turtles, hamsters, rabbits, and hermit crabs. I watched the hermit crab continue to grow, molt, shed its skin and scurry across the bottom of the aquarium to find a new shell. Which left me afraid for the small creature, to run around all exposed that way, to have to live its entire life requiring something else to feel safe. Perhaps that is when I became afraid of needing anything beyond myself. Perhaps that is why, even now, I can want so desperately to show you all of my skin, but am more afraid of meeting you, exposed, in open water. Connotate the poem. What words do they use that have strong emotional attachments to them? Write the words down and explain the emotional connection to them.

Answer 1

The student asked for connotative language in a poem, and words with strong emotional connotations include 'afraid', 'exposed', and 'safe', each evoking distinct feelings like anxiety, vulnerability, and comfort.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question involves connotative language within a poem, looking for words that carry strong emotional attachments and asking for an explanation of the emotional connection. Exploring emotional connotations in a poem is essential for understanding its deeper meaning and for critical analysis of poetry.

Words with strong emotional connotations from the provided text include 'afraid', 'exposed', 'safe', 'escape', 'lonely', and 'fear'. For example, 'afraid' relates to a feeling of anxiety or apprehension about potential danger or harm, which can be both a personal and universal feeling. 'Exposed' suggests vulnerability and the risk of being unprotected, evoking an emotional state of unease or discomfort. 'Safe' conveys a sense of security or freedom from danger, which is inherently comforting and desirable. Each of these words triggers emotional responses that help readers connect with the experiences and feelings expressed in the poem.