Question

when searching for the connotations of the words in \the caged bird,\ the reader should study the literal, dictionary meaning of the word. the feeling or idea associated with the word. the thing that the word is being compared to. the attitude that the word implies about the theme.

Explanation:

Connotation refers to the non-literal, emotional or associative meaning of a word, distinct from its literal dictionary definition (denotation). The correct option directly matches this definition of connotation.

Answer:

the feeling or idea associated with the word.