Read the sentence from Barrio Boy by Ernesto Galarza.

Question

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.