What are some motifs in literature?
Examples of Motif in Narrative Writing
- A repeated reference or visual of shattered glass (something in life is about to break)
- Recurring dishonest characters (to cue up the discovery of an unfaithful spouse)
- A character who constantly misplaces things (as the loss of someone or something significant is on the horizon)
Is death a motif?
A motif must be repeated throughout a text to be considered a motif. However, the motif may appear in various forms. For example, “death” could be a motif in a literary work. An author would not necessarily have to use the word “death” to express the motif.
What are motifs in English literature?
Motif is a literary technique that consists of a repeated element that has symbolic significance to a literary work. Sometimes, a motif is a recurring image.
What are the motifs in The Great Gatsby?
Judgment, wealth, and infidelity are three motifs that occur in the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Judgment is something that comes up frequently in the narration by Nick Carraway, and by the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg, a major symbol in the book.
What flower is a symbol of death?
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum: In America, this gorgeous flower has many meanings, but it is often used as an expression of support or an encouragement to “get well soon.” In many countries in Europe, the chrysanthemum is placed on graves and viewed as a symbol of death.
What is the most important symbol in The Great Gatsby?
the green light
For example, in The Great Gatsby, one important symbol is the green light on Daisy’s dock, which is a concrete object that also represents the abstract concepts of yearning and the American Dream.
How do you find motifs in literature?
If you spot a symbol, concept, or plot structure that surfaces repeatedly in the text, you’re probably dealing with a motif. They must be related to the central idea of the work, and they always end up reinforcing the author’s overall message.