Term to Know MOTIF Definition of Motif A

Term to Know: MOTIF

Definition of Motif A motif in literature is a WORD, CHARACTER, OBJECT, IMAGE, or IDEA that recurs and usually bears an important relationship to theme of the work. Talk to your group members. Can you think of any MOTIFS for the novel Night?

Possible Answers • • Bearing Witness Loss of Faith/Religion Father/Son Bond Intolerance Death Fire Silence vs. Voice

Today and Tomorrow’s Focus Two Motifs: NIGHT and EYES.

Night The motif of night is important because night is dark, and darkness usually symbolizes death or sadness. Wiesel uses night to convey sorrow, loss, and death.

Eyes The motif of eyes is also very important in Wiesel’s memoir. Eyes convey emotion. "The eyes are the windows to the soul. " an old English proverb (aphorism)

Examples from the Text NIGHT: “The last night in Buna. Once more, the last night. The last night at home, the last night in the ghetto, the last night in the cattle car, and now, the last night in Buna. How much longer would our lives be lived from one ‘last night’ to the next? ” (page 83) As Elie prepares to march again, the reader feels as though Wiesel is really asking “When is MY last night? ” EYES: “Even Moishe the Beadle had fallen silent. He was weary of talking. He would drift through synagogue or through the streets, hunched over, eyes cast down, avoiding people’s gaze. ” (page 8) Downcast eyes often mean despair, a loss of hope, or someone who is avoiding others or failing to connect.