SYMBOLS MOTIFS DICHOTOMY MOTIF motif A recurrent image

SYMBOLS, MOTIFS, DICHOTOMY

MOTIF motif: A recurrent image, word, phrase, represented object or action that tends to unify the literary work or that may be elaborated into a more general theme. Also, a situation, incident, idea, image, or character type that is found in many different literary works, folk tales, or myths.

MOTIF EXAMPLES You could decorate a room using a sports motif if you had pictures of famous athletes, maybe a baseball bat hanging on the wall, paint the floor to look like a football field, use a hockey stick as a curtain rod, etc. A motif specific to literature is usually a recurring detail that repeats throughout the work. Generally, a motif will have some sort of symbolic significance in the story. It can be a character trait, object, color, idea, place, etc.

SYMBOLISM

SYMBOLISM A person, place, object, or activity that stands for something beyond itself. Ask yourself: What might the characters, conflicts, and setting represent? What ideas do these symbols communicate? Now you practice…

WHAT DOES A BALD EAGLE SYMBOLIZE? Freedom Pride United States Liberty Strength

WHAT DOES A DOVE SYMBOLIZE? Peace Hope

WHAT DOES A HEART SYMBOLIZE? Love Passion

WHAT DOES CLOVER SYMBOLIZE? Good luck

WHAT DOES THE COLOR BLACK SYMBOLIZE? Evil Darkness Fear Death

WHAT DOES SPRING SYMBOLIZE? Youth Birth Life

WHAT DOES WATER SYMBOLIZE? Birth Rebirth

WHAT DOES A SKULL SYMBOLIZE? Death Poison Danger

WHAT DOES AUTUMN SYMBOLIZE? Middle age Maturity

WHAT DOES A ROSE SYMBOLIZE? Love Beauty

WHAT DOES A CROWN AND THE COLOR PURPLE SYMBOLIZE? Wealth Royalty Honor

WHAT DOES A FULL MOON SYMBOLIZE? Danger Weirdness

WHAT DOES WINTER SYMBOLIZE? Death Dying Old age

DICHOTOMY Dichotomy—A division into two opposing parts, such as the dichotomy of the soul and body or the dichotomy of good and evil in humans. Refers to the division of two contradictory thoughts, ideas, or opinions into two equal categories.