What is the difference between denotations and connotations?

When analysing a text, it is helpful to closely examine the words used in the text. Words can be interpreted from different angles. The denotation of a word is its literal meaning, i. e. the definition you can find in a dictionary. For example, a denotation of 'rose' could be 'a type of flower'. The connotations of a word are the ideas associated with the word, usually linked to cultural conventions. For example, some connotations of 'rose' are love and beauty, as we tend to associate roses with these concepts in our minds. Understanding the connotations of the words in a text can help us interpret the imagery and identify the themes of the text.