Read the stanza, then answer the questions.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
–“Caged Bird,”
Maya Angelou
Which word has a connotative meaning of “sad and lonely”?
The connotative meaning of this word gives the poem a feeling of
isolation.
The word in the stanza that has a connotative meaning of "sad and lonely" is "caged." The word "caged" implies being trapped, restricted, and unable to experience freedom, which can evoke feelings of sadness and loneliness.
To determine which word in the stanza has a connotative meaning of "sad and lonely," we need to analyze the words and their associations in the given context.
In this stanza, the words "fearful" and "longed for still" give a sense of longing, unease, and sadness. However, the word "fearful" specifically connotes a negative emotion associated with fear, anxiety, and a sense of being trapped or constrained. This connotation aligns with the concept of feeling sad and lonely. Therefore, the word "fearful" has a connotative meaning of "sad and lonely" in this context.