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Definition of Motif
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the central themes of a book... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of... read full definition
Part I
Explanation and Analysis—The Hunter’s Whistle:
The sound of the hunter whistling (in order to imitate a bird call) appears a few different times in the story, forming a motif. The first time Sylvia hears the whistle, she knows immediately that it's coming from a person rather than a bird:
Suddenly this little woods-girl is horror-stricken to hear, a clear whistle not very far away. Not a bird’s-whistle, which would have a sort of friendliness, but a boy’s whistle, determined, and somewhat aggressive.
Related Themes:
