InstaCert - Humanities Question number 12/81

[whitefrog]

Hi, this is my first post, so please excuse me if it's not in the correct forum.

While preparing to take my first CLEP exam, Humanities, I came across question 12 in the Poetry section and was confused by the InstaCert answer. I'm trying to figure out why my answer is wrong.

Question 12 of 81

My old man’s a white old man
And my old mother’s black.
If I ever cursed my white old man
I take my curses back.

These lines open the Langston Hughes poem Cross. Identify one of the title’s connotations:

(A) Religious symbol
(B) Unpleasant
© Angry
(D) Of mixed racial heritage

My answer to this question is (D) of mixed racial heritage as it is a figurative meaning of the word 'cross' - the poem's title. This is the wrong answer and here is the detailed explanation:

Detailed Explanation:
Unpleasant is the correct answer. The other four choices are denotations, or definitions, of the word “cross.” A connotation, on the other hand, is an emotion a word conjures up within the reader.


Am I wrong on this one? I'd appreciate your expertise Instacert forum!

[Epiphany]

The key word in the question is connotation.

A connotation as an emotion. You could think of it more like an emotional association of the word or piece but not it's literal meaning.

A denotation is much more cut and dry. More concrete. Less touchy feely. No spin. (use any one of those that helps you remember).

This question is kind of tricky, If you eliminate the obvious that are either denotations (definitions, no spin etc etc) or things that can't be an emotion then you are left with

B) Unpleasant
C) Angry

Between the two, you need to think which one is an emotion or emotional association? "Angry" is not really an associated feeling you can get from this title, it's another word for cross. So your answer is B.

The difficulty in many readings (poems, books etc) is that the these two are often at odds with each other within the same piece. Sometimes I have to read these line by line or backwards to separate what I think I read, and what is written!

Best of luck.

[whitefrog]

Thanks for the explanation. I guess that the keyword to look for in this question is emotion. It's great to be able to ask for help in these forums!

[Epiphany]

Pleasure. Good luck on your exam!

[Sowak777]

denotation definition | Dictionary.com
Explicit meaning; dictionary definition

connotation definition | Dictionary.com
Secondary/implied meaning