Three words from "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe that have strong connotations and impact the meaning, mood, and tone of the passages are:
1) Bleak - The word "bleak" is used in the passage "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary." The connotation of "bleak" is desolate, gloomy, and devoid of hope. It sets a melancholic mood and contributes to the overall somber tone of the poem. If the word "bleak" were replaced with "dim," the connotation would be less intense, and it would diminish the sense of despair and hopelessness conveyed in the line.
2) Quaint - The word "quaint" appears in the passage "And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before." The connotation of "quaint" is peculiar, old-fashioned, and charming in an unusual way. It adds an element of intrigue and mystery to the description of the curtains, enhancing the eerie and unsettling mood of the poem. If the word "quaint" were replaced with "strange," the connotation would become more straightforward and less nuanced, resulting in a reduced sense of peculiar fascination and weakening the overall impact of the passage.
3) Plutonian - The word "Plutonian" is used in the passage "Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before." The connotation of "Plutonian" refers to the god Pluto, associated with the underworld and darkness. It carries a sense of otherworldly and supernatural elements. The word intensifies the mysterious and eerie atmosphere, heightening the sense of fear and awe. If "Plutonian" were replaced with "dark," the connotation would become more generic and lose the specific allusion to the realm of the supernatural, resulting in a diminished impact on the poem's meaning, mood, and tone.
The careful choice and specific connotations of words in "The Raven" contribute to its overall atmosphere, evoking a sense of dread, despair, and fascination. Replacing these words with others that have similar denotations but slightly different connotations would dilute the intended effect, making the poem less evocative and reducing the cumulative impact on the reader. The connotations in Poe's original words create a rich tapestry of emotions, imagery, and symbolism that contribute to the unique and enduring power of the poem.