Motif

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(No Transcript)
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What is a motif?

• A motif is a real concrete element of the text
  that actually appears written down on the page.
  Motifs are repeated again and again throughout a
  text and through this repetition they begin to
  symbolize bigger ideas.
• Remember this idea of bigger ideas because it
  is important when understanding the relationship
  between motifs, topics and themes.

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Why is it Important to Understand Motif

• A motif is important because it allows one to see
  main points and themes that the author is trying
  to express, in order that one might be able to
  interpret the work more accurately

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So What Is the Difference?

• What is the difference between Symbol and
  Motif?
• Symbols carry a deeper meaning and are used to
  compare something with something else
• Motif is not just a word but can be a sound or
  even an image that is used to help in developing
  the theme in a literary work
• .

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Motif Vs. Symbol

• .
• While a symbol might occur once in literature to
  signify an idea or an emotion, a motif is an
  element or idea that repeats throughout that
  piece of literature. A motif could be expressed
  by a collection of related symbols

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For Example

• If we are looking at the motif of a family
  falling apart (fragmentation) in a novel or a
  short story this might be represented by a
  variety of different symbols
• shattered glass
• an unfaithful spouse
• a runaway child
• Divorce/separation

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Sometimes a motif can be a contrast, like
"light and dark." A series of symbols that could
represent this motif might be

• Clouds scrolling across the moon
• Shadows
• A flickering Candle
• A long dark tunnel
• A ray of sunshine bursting through the clouds

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Motif

• Certain motifs are universal because they
  represent patterns common to all human
  experience. For example, the seasonal and daily
  cycles are used in all times and all places to
  represent the general cycle of life and the
  progress of the individual human life.

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Motifs

• Other motifs belong to specific traditions.

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Below is a List of Motifs Seen Common in
Literature
Clothing Seasons Colors Paradise Apparent death Supernatural Adversaries Supernatural Helpers Extraordinary Animals Magical Objects Magical Powers Magical Transformations  Deep Sleeps Witches Wishes Trickery Consequences of Greed Beautiful Princess Floods Foolish or Dimwitted Hero Importance of Threes Illness Flowers/plants The Beauty and the Beast The Temptation The Returning Soldier The (Victorious) Underdog The Bewitching Woman The Damsel in Distress The Wicked Ogre Struggle of the Poor/Rich The Journey of Escape The Lost The Miracle Journey from Innocence to   Awareness Sacrificial Friend/ Savior The Inward Struggle The Quest The Faithful Friend The Love Triangle The Betrayal Revenge Meeting the Supernatural The Search for Identity Justice for All Born Again/Recalled to Life The Corruption of Power Oppression of the Poor Big Brother is Watching The Wild Woman Madness Separation Serpent Garden Tree
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MOTIF IN THE HUNGER GAMES