A-Z: General definitions: Association

Definition

A word or image to which is linked, in the listener's mind, to an idea, image or word, usually semi-automatically. Some associations will be public, that is, they are embedded in the culture; some associations will be private, that is, coming from the listener's own memory and past experiences. Much imagery in poetry depends on association, either re-enforcing the links and drawing in the emotional colouring of those links; or cutting across past associations, thus causing shock and a new awareness of the imaged.

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