1. Symbol, Motif, Theme

2. Three Important Devices: Know These
Symbol: An object that represents something more significant that just itself
Motif: A recurring element or idea; a phrase; image; repetition of similar symbols; repetition of an issue/attitude
Theme: Overall insight the author hopes to convey through the text about the real world; since it’s a message, it must be a full sentence

3. Quick Review: Which of the answers below satisfies the definition for a theme?
The glass slipper
Good typically prevails over evil
Good vs. evil
Spontaneous friendship

4. Motif Example--In Star Wars: Recurring SOUNDS
Each character gets his/her own “theme” music
The audience recognizes these melodies and can anticipate a “good”
This motif helps to establish yet another motif --> good vs. evil

5. Why should you care about motifs?
Authors put them there on purpose
Motifs reveal the significant elements of the text that you are investigating
Motifs are stepping stones to identifying the themes of the book you are reading
And, themes are the whole reason we read!

6. How do I identify a motif on my own?
Identify a pattern or recurring idea in the text
Track that pattern as you read (always annotating, always thinking)
Draw conclusions about that pattern as you learn significant details

7. How do symbols, motifs, and themes work together?

8. Notice that there are MANY symbols, SOME motifs, but very FEW themes.

9. Think about Of Mice and Men
What are some symbols (objects that represent something more significant that just themselves)?
What are some motifs? A recurring element or idea; a phrase; image; repetition of similar symbols; repetition of an issue/attitude
What is a theme, based on the symbols and motifs you noticed?

10. One more way to solidify your thinking on symbol, motif, and theme
One more way to solidify your thinking on symbol, motif, and theme. Look closely at the following picture.

11. What is the/a symbol in this photo?
Time
Clocks
The human obsession with time is unnatural in the natural world.

12. What is a/the motif? Time Clocks
The human obsession with time is unnatural in the natural world.

13. What is the/a theme? Time Clocks
The human obsession with time is unnatural in the natural world.

14. What MOTIFS emerge from these four paintings by Edward Hopper?