Denotation VS Connotation

Throughout history, it is evident that words hold great power and have the ability to be strongly influential. John Ruskin once stated, “You must get in the habit of looking intensely at words. You must learn to read syllable by syllable, nay, letter by letter.” Ruskin’s quote explains that every word chosen, whether internally read, used in conversation, or preached in front of a massive crowd, has its individual significance. A word’s sound, historical background and definition has the ability to evoke emotion and perhaps alter an individual’s thought. Although words might possess similar denotations, its connotation can easily differ. Religion and cult, and art and craft are two sets of words that can be used to prove this statement to be true.
The words religion and cult share similar characteristics, most importantly dealing with the worship of a higher power and wanting to share devotion with others. Both religions and cults have ritualistic aspects and require some type of commitment. Although a religious group might share similar mindsets, each individual holds personal beliefs. Although characteristics of these two words are similar, they have large contrasting connotations. The term religion is universally related with ideas of love, harmony, fulfillment and purpose. The term “cult” is used to describe a small religious group that is not a part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous. Throughout history into modern day, cults have been negatively associated with small extremist groups who are exploitive, violent, and a bit sociopathic, who go as far as murder to display their beliefs. An example of a cult group is The Order of the Solar Temple. The leader of this French new age cult, Joe Di Mambro, ordered his three month old son to be brutally murdered because he believed he was the anti-Christ. About a week after that mass murders were conducted at two villages in Switzerland, and at Morin Heights with over 50 dead overall (Top 10 Cults). It is ironic that two words with completely different connotations share similar definitions. Two other words that have similar definitions but differ in nuance is art and craft. Both art and craft are words used to express the application of human creative skill and imagination, such as painting, music, literature, and dance, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. Although art and craft have a similar definition, the way that they can be interpreted are completely different. Art is a fairly broad term, and is used by both refined and uncultured alike. This term is commonly used, and can be said in positive, negative, and simple fashion. Meanwhile, craft is specific and holds certain elegance. Craft can be used when one is attempting to display sophistication in their speech, and is often discussed during formal occasions. Moreover, although these words are similar in denotation, the implied meanings are unique and different from each other. In the English language there are a multitude of words that share similar definitions. The history behind a word and the way it sounds is what evokes a specific emotion and makes it unique. Therefore it is important to pay attention to word choice, so one can absorb the most meaning.