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What is a Motif in Literature? (Definition)
In literature, motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, images, phrases, and literary devices that help to develop and inform the text’s deeper meaning and major themes. While themes are more abstract and universal, motifs are usually concrete, repetitive, and specific to the text. For example, in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, the narrator frequently describes the intense heat of the island throughout the story. This motif establishes a connection between the island’s hostile environment and the physical and psychological oppression of the boys stranded there. Motifs are powerful because they unify a story and help readers see connections between events, characters, and ideas.
Examples of Motifs
Example 1: Fire and Ice in Jane Eyre
Throughout Jane Eyre, the opposing elements of fire and ice appear as a motif. The former represents the protagonist’s passions and spirit, while the latter signifies the oppressive forces trying to extinguish Jane’s strength. Charlotte Brontë repeatedly associates Jane with images of fire, brightness, and warmth. St. John, on the other hand, is compared with ice and cold rock, establishing his frigidity. The repeated interplay of fire and ice with character behavior transforms the natural environment into an extension of human emotion.
Example 2: Small-Town Life in To Kill a Mockingbird
The motif of small-town life recurs throughout Harper Lee’s classic novel with descriptions of a close-knit community, filled with folks who know each other’s business and follow certain social codes. As if to contrast with all the suspense of the book, Lee emphasizes the slow-paced, old-fashioned, tired feel of life in Maycomb. She often deliberately juxtaposes small-town values and Gothic images to examine more closely the forces of good and evil, such as the horror of the fire being mitigated by the people of Maycomb banding together. This example shows how motifs can be contrasts, set up to reinforce bigger ideas in the story.
Example 3: Storytelling in Things Fall Apart
The motif of storytelling repeats throughout Chinua Achebe’s novel, with folk tales, songs, and proverbs serving as tools of cultural memory, passing down wisdom and reinforcing values for the characters. Achebe’s use of this motif establishes the rich history of Igbo culture, showing how oral storytelling preserves Igbo identity and contrasts with the colonial culture of writing introduced by Europeans. Ultimately, the motif of storytelling supports Achebe’s broader themes of tradition and cultural resilience.
Common Misunderstandings about Motifs
One common mistake is confusing motif with symbol. In literature, symbols are objects, characters, or figures used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. Motifs may include symbols, but they are broader—motifs encompass any recurring image, idea, or phrase.
Another mistake is assuming that a motif appears only once in a story. A single symbol or image can be significant, but it becomes a motif only when repeated throughout the work. On the flip side, a common mistake is confusing motif with simple repetition. Not everything that repeats is meaningful enough to be a motif. A motif needs to contribute to theme or characterization, not just occur often.
Lastly, it's a mistake to assume a work only has a single motif. In fact, most stories use several motifs working together. For example, The Great Gatsby has geography, weather, and color as motifs, all layering meaning around themes of wealth and illusion.
Why Do Motifs Matter?
Motifs matter because they deepen our understanding of literature and guide our attention toward important themes. By repeating key images, objects, or ideas, authors create patterns, and readers can connect the dots between different moments in the text.
Motifs also make a work more cohesive by linking separate events or characters into a unified whole. For example, the recurring motif of water in Shakespeare’s The Tempest connects ideas of life and death, tying together the play’s many scenes. Furthermore, motifs often keep the reader engaged, lending the story a sense of continuity and making abstract ideas more concrete.
