symbols and motifs
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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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Symbols and Motifs
How to identify symbols and motifs in literature
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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)
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Motif in Movie Soundtracks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fq5O2ALsIg
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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.
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Examples of motif
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3c6KLDAuxk
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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"
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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.
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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?
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Examples of motif
• Journey
• Money
• Tests of skill or wisdom
• Separations and reunions
• Rebirth
• Prejudice
• Swords
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Examples of motif to look for in The Great Gatsby
• Colors
• Geography
• Weather
• Parties
• Cars
• Cheating
• Sport
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Okay…
Then what is a symbol?
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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.
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• 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/ >.
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What is a symbol?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHAmYCU-KZM
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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.