States of being: Oppression, depression, loss, fear, sadness, separation/loneliness, isolation. Examples of Motifs in Literature Example #1A Tale of Two CitiesbyCharles Dickens There are numerous examples of motifs inA Tale of Two Cities.Thenoveltells the story of two men who fall in love with...
A mother as such is not amotif. A cruel mother becomes one because she is at least thought to be unusual. The ordinary processes of life are not motifs. To say that 'John dressed and walked to town' is not to give a single motif worth remembering; but to say that the hero put on...
Types of Motifs in Literature: Examples How to Use Motifs Lesson Summary Frequently Asked Questions What is an example of a motif? An example of a motif is bright light in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, which is used to express the love that Romeo and Juliet have for each other...
“It was a dark and stormy night” is often touted as being one of the most trite and uninspiring opening lines in literature, but weather is one of the most powerful and easily overlooked motifs. InMacbeth, the three witches are always accompanied by storms, and storms play out in many ...
Learn to define motifs in literature, examine how they reinforce the themes of a literary work, and see examples. Read the difference between...
of literature. Motifs may come in the form of reoccurring imagery, language, structure, or contrasts. In drama, motifs may also take the form of repeated music, visual components, or physical movements. The development of motifs in a work of literature often contributes to mood and/or theme....
In art, a motif is a design or pattern that repeats in different parts of an artwork, or in different works by the same artist. While these additional meanings of motif are useful to know, motifs in literature function differently and have a slightly more specific meaning. Motif ...
In this piece of literature, both characters lose their mates, and their humanity, in Shelley’s soft moonlight. How To Choose a Motif We’ve established that motifs add powerful depth to themes and characters. But how do you go about creating your own motifs?
"The rose . . . has collected around itself many layers of meanings, some of which contradict or challenge each other. As associated with the Virgin Mary, the rose symbolizes chastity and purity, while as associated with sexuality in medieval romance literature, it symbolizes carnality and sexual...
In literature, recurring patterns are known as motifs. As you read, pay close attention to any motifs you recognize because these often communicate a work’s themes. In Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, we see a motif of biblical references. These communicate the novel’s theme of th...