Literary Symbol Motif Image How to identify and

Literary Symbol, Motif, & Image How to identify and analyze

Symbol: Character, place, thing or event that stands for something else. Often stands for an abstract idea. Created through emphasis and repetition. Examples: The two rivers in A Separate Peace stand for innocence and loss of innocence. The conch shell in Lord of the Flies stands for authority/leadership.

Motif: Motif is an object or idea that repeats itself throughout a literary work. In a literary work, a motif can be seen as an image, sound, action or other figures that have a symbolic significance and contributes toward the development of theme. Motif and theme are linked in a literary work but there is a difference between them. A motif develops or explains a theme while a theme is a central idea or message.

Examples of Motif: Transformations in A Separate Peace: the boys go through physical, mental, social, and moral transformations, supporting the loss of innocence theme. Savagery in Lord of the Flies: masks, spears, chants, and rituals support theme of the heart of darkness inherent in humanity.

Function of Motif: Along with presenting a prevailing theme, writers include several motifs in their literary works as reinforcements. Motifs contribute in developing the major theme of a literary work and help readers to comprehend the underlying messages that writers intend to communicate to them.

Image: A word or phrase in a literary text that appeals directly to the reader's taste, touch, hearing, sight, or smell. An image is any vivid or picturesque phrase that evokes a particular sensation in the reader's mind.

Examples of Image: The tree in A Separate Peace: “It had loomed in my memory as a huge lone spike dominating the riverbank, forbidding as an artillery piece, high as the beanstalk. ” The author uses simile, allusion, and vivid description that helps the reader to visualize the tree in a meaningful way. It also reinforces theme of fear.

Image from Lord of the Flies “. . . there was the head grinning amusedly in the strange daylight, ignoring the flies, the spilled guts, even ignoring the indignity of being spiked on a stick. ” Sensory detail is strong, appealing to sight, smell, sound. The added personification strengthens the image, which furthers its symbolic significance. This stark image supports themes of evil and darkness.

Recap: Symbol: stands for something beyond itself – usually an abstract idea. Motif: recurring image that supports or links to a theme. Image: appeals to the senses (sight, taste, touch, smell, sound). Creates a picture in reader’s mind and stands out in a significant way.