Symbols and Motifs

How to identify symbols and motifs in literature

What is a motif?

• Motif: A unifying element in an artistic work, especially any recurrent image, symbol, theme, character type, subject, or narrative detail.

• A given motif may be unique to a work or it may appear in numerous works by the same author or different authors.

• (Source: Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms, pg. 277)

Motif in Movie Soundtracks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fq5O2ALsIg

What is a motif?

• Recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes

• Unlike a theme, a motif can be expressed in a single word or fragment.

Examples of motif

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3c6KLDAuxk

What is a motif?

• A motif may be: – a literary element used repeatedly in one text– two contrasting elements in a work (good and

evil)– a literary element used over time in various

texts, providing a useful example of a cultural "constant"

Why use a motif?

• It allows us to see main points and themes that the author is trying to express, in order that we might be able to interpret the work more accurately.

Examples of motif

• Cinderella motif

• a poor, mistreated, beautiful, kind young girl is rescued by a dashing, kind, rich man.

• How many movies, books, etc. can you name with this motif?

Examples of motif

• Journey

• Money

• Tests of skill or wisdom

• Separations and reunions

• Rebirth

• Prejudice

• Swords

Examples of motif to look for in The Great Gatsby

• Colors

• Geography

• Weather

• Parties

• Cars

• Cheating

• Sport

Okay…

Then what is a symbol?

What is a symbol?

• symbol (sim-bol): a symbol is a word or object that stands for another word or object. The object or word can be seen with the eye or not visible.

• A symbol is an object, a picture, a written word, or a sound that is used to represent something else either by resemblance, convention, or association. Every language have symbols; in fact, our names are symbols that represent us as individuals.

Emelda M. "Difference Between Motifs and Symbols." DifferenceBetween.net. May 23, 2011 < http://www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-motifs-and-symbols/ >.

What is a symbol?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHAmYCU-KZM

What is a symbol?

• What is the difference between a motif and a symbol?

• A symbol is a concrete object used to represent an abstract idea, and a motif is a symbol that is REPEATED in a work of literature, found on multiple occasions in the same work.