Roland Barthes: Denotations and Connotations

Definitions

Denotation: The primary meaning of a word

Connotation: The interpretation of the primary meaning of a word

Example - Yellow flowers on the green grass (2015)

Tôi thấy hoa vàng trên cỏ xanh (2015)
Directed by Victor Vu

Denotations

1. Looking upwards

2. Color scheme

3. Nature

4. Facial expressions

Connotations

1. Looking upwards - the girl could be recalling a memory, she could also be bored, or she is dreaming about the future

2. Color scheme - looks pale and light which could represent feminine, dedication, or springtime. A pale color scheme could also show the past

3. Nature - greenness and nature symbolize peace and calmness

4. Facial expression - the girl looks sad and miserable

Denotations

1. Color scheme

2. Reading a book

3. Clothing

4. Facial expression

Connotations

1. Color scheme - also looks pale and could show the past. There is a blue tint that symbolizes serenity, stability, inspiration, and reliability

2. Reading a book - represents knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of the reader

3. Clothing - a thin fabric shirt shows that the boy is poor

4. Facial expression - furrowed eyebrows could represent confusion or unsatisfaction

Denotations

1. Frog

2. Clothing

3. Facial expression

4. Color scheme

Connotations

1. Frog - represents purity and harmony, in context to the movie, this describes the boy's personality. Moreover, frogs are animal that normally appears in the rural area of Vietnam, where the boy lives.

2. Clothing - a brown shirt shows earthiness, and warmth but also poorness

3. Facial expression - a slight smile represents happiness and soft eyes show empathy and sympathy

4. Color scheme - an earthy scheme that brings in warmth, reliability, comfort and also, and poverty