Question

Read the sentence from Barrio Boy by Ernesto Galarza.

Any neighborhood courtesy—an exchange of a banana for a red pepper, or the return of a borrowed utensil—was sure to pass through our messenger system.

Which words have a connotative meaning in the sentence?

Any neighborhood
red pepper
borrowed utensil
messenger system

Answer 1

In the sentence, the words with connotative meanings are:

- **neighborhood**: This word often evokes feelings of community, connection, and familiarity, suggesting a sense of belonging and interpersonal relationships.
- **messenger system**: This phrase connotes an informal, possibly close-knit method of communication and exchange within the community, implying trust and reliance among neighbors.

The other terms, **red pepper** and **borrowed utensil**, are more literal and do not carry strong connotations beyond their straightforward meanings.