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:

Connotations refer to the feelings or ideas associated with a word. In literature, understanding connotations helps in grasping the deeper meaning and tone. For example, in "The Caged Bird", words might have connotations that evoke certain emotions related to freedom, captivity etc. The literal, dictionary meaning is denotation. The attitude a word implies about the theme is more about tone. And the thing a word is compared to is a metaphor - like aspect. So for connotations, it's about the associated feelings/ideas.

Answer:

the feeling or idea associated with the word.