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In "All Summer in a Day," what is the connotation of the words "surged," "bore," and "protesting"?
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In "All Summer in a Day," the words "surged," "bore," and "protesting" convey the overwhelming force and lack of consent in Margot's mistreatment by her classmates. "Surged" suggests an irresistible, wave-like force as the children surround her. "Bore" implies they carry her against her will, highlighting their control. "Protesting" reflects Margot's futile resistance to this unjust treatment, emphasizing her powerlessness against the collective aggression of her peers.
Connotation refers to the implied meaning of a word which conjures a feeling or idea that is in addition to the word's literal meaning. In Bradbury's short story "All Summer in a Day," Margot is severely bullied by her hostile classmates who gang up on her and lock her inside a classroom closet moments before the sun makes an extremely rare appearance. As the children begin to surround Margot and force her into a closet, Bradbury writes:
They surged about her, caught her up and bore her, protesting, and then pleading, and then crying, back into a tunnel, a room, a closet, where they slammed and locked the door (3).
The word "surged" has a connotation which implies that the children invade Margot's personal space in an overwhelming, powerful manner. The word "surge" conjures the image of a tidal wave, which corresponds to the way the children rapidly...
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collapse around Margot.
The word "bore" implies forcefully moving oneself through a wall of people, which corresponds to the determined collective group of children advancing towards Margot. The word "protesting" implies that Margot is desperately pleading for her life.
Overall, the words "surged," "bored," and "protesting" carry the connotation of a powerful, unstoppable force conquering Margot, who objects to her peers' harsh, unforgiving treatment.
They surged about her, caught her up and bore her, protesting, and then pleading, and then crying, back into a tunnel, a room, a closet, where they slammed and locked the door.
In this passage from "All Summer in a Day," Margot, a weak but thoughtful child, is cruelly bullied by her classmates. This is not the first time they have treated her this way, but it is the worst. The words "surged," "bore," and "protesting" all have the connotation that what is happening to Margot is against her will. The idea of "surged" implies that many children moved together at once in a force that was irresistible. Like the oncoming tide, or a flood, they overwhelmed her, and she was powerless against them.
"Bore" means that they moved her under their volition, not hers. One thinks of athletes being carried on high by many hands after scoring a big win for the team, but that is the irony here. She is not liked by the others, and they are displaying their power over her, not their approval of her.
"Protesting" indicates that she seeks to rebel against their actions toward her. Just as the American colonists protested against the overbearing, unjust actions of England by throwing tea into Boston Harbor, so Margot tries to protest the unfair treatment she is receiving at the hands of her oppressive classmates. Unfortunately, she is only one among many, and the cruel children do not heed her protests.
The words used in this sentence point out Margot's lack of power and the unfair, unjust treatment she receives at the hands of her classmates.