How does the denotation of the phrase “back settlers” differ from the connotation crevecoeur attaches to the word? crevecoeur attaches a positive connotation to the word; the denotation of the word is neutral. crevecoeur attaches a negative connotation to the word; the denotation of the word is neutral. crevecoeur attaches a positive denotation to the word; the connotation of the word is neutral. crevecoeur attaches a negative denotation to the word; the connotation of the word is neutral.

I believe the correct answer is the second option - Crevecoeur attaches a negative connotation to the word; the denotation of the word is neutral. 
Denotation is the actual meaning of the word, what is written in a dictionary as an explanation. So back settlers doesn't have a positive or negative denotation, which means that it has a neutral denotation. On the other hand, connotation refers to your personal feelings about what a certain word may evoke. Crevecoeur says that back settlers are 'ferocious, gloomy, and unsociable,' which is obviously negative.

Cleanwerewerehadtakebe

What story is it we're talking about?