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.

That time of year thou mayst in me behold when yellow leaves, or none, or few do hang upon those boughs which shake against the cold, bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang in me thou sees the twilight of such day as after sunset fadeth in the west; which by and by black night doth take away, death's second self that seals up all in rest. in me thou seest the glowing of such fire that on the ashes of his youth doth lie, as the deathbed whereon it must expire, consumed with that which it was nourished by. this thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong, to love that well, which thou must leave ere long. the first stanza compares the leafless limbs of a tree to a. yellow leaves b. sweet birds c. bare choirs d. summer

How can you tell that the text is from a biography

Based on the cause-and-effect relationship in this sentence, what is the meaning of the word illuminate? the colors and patterns on the stained glass windows were illuminated as thousands of candles burned during the special church service. a) to melt or change form b) to grow taller or wider c) to become extremely hot d) to light up or make clear