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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
Chapter 2: Matthew Cuthbert Is Surprised
Explanation and Analysis—Moral Sayings:
Pithy moral axioms—as well as Anne's defiance of them—recur in Anne of Green Gables to remind the reader of her independence. For example, in Chapter 5, Marilla asserts that peoples' names do not matter so long as they behave themselves:
“I guess it doesn’t matter what a person’s name is as long as he behaves himself,” said Marilla, feeling herself called upon to inculcate a good and useful moral.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Fashion :
Anne's interest in fashion becomes a motif that shows what a novelty it is for an orphan to possess nice things. In Chapter 11, Anne wishes that Marilla would make her a dress with puffed sleeves:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Oh, I am grateful,” protested Anne. “But I’d be ever so much gratefuller if—if you’d made just one of them with puffed sleeves. Puffed sleeves are so fashionable now. It would give me such a thrill, Marilla, just to wear a dress with puffed sleeves.”
Related Themes:
Chapter 4: Morning at Green Gables
Explanation and Analysis—The Natural World:
The natural world becomes a motif in Anne of Green Gables that suggests the beauty and mystery of life. From the first moment of her arrival, Anne expresses awe at Avonlea's natural features. In Chapter 4, on Anne's first morning at Green Gables, she peers out her window at a cherry tree in full bloom:
Unlock with LitCharts A+A huge cherry-tree grew outside, so close that its boughs tapped against the house, and it was so thick-set with blossoms that hardly a leaf was to be seen. On both sides of the house was a big orchard, one of apple-trees and one of cherry-trees, also showered over with blossoms; and their grass was all sprinkled with dandelions. In the garden below were lilac-trees purple with flowers, and their dizzily sweet fragrance drifted up to the window on the morning wind.
Related Themes:
Chapter 5: Anne’s History
Explanation and Analysis—Moral Sayings:
Pithy moral axioms—as well as Anne's defiance of them—recur in Anne of Green Gables to remind the reader of her independence. For example, in Chapter 5, Marilla asserts that peoples' names do not matter so long as they behave themselves:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“I guess it doesn’t matter what a person’s name is as long as he behaves himself,” said Marilla, feeling herself called upon to inculcate a good and useful moral.
Related Themes:
Chapter 7: Anne Says Her Prayers
Explanation and Analysis—Religion and Prayer:
The motif of religion recurs in the text as a symbol of discipline, order, and tradition (in contrast to Anne's unconventional beliefs). In Chapter 7, as Anne and Marilla debate the meaning of prayer, Anne asks an important question:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Why must people kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray I’ll tell you what I’d do. I’d go out into a great big field all alone or into the deep, deep, woods, and I’d look up into the sky—up—up—up—into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its blueness. And then I’d just feel a prayer.”
Related Themes:
Chapter 8: Anne’s Bringing-Up Is Begun
Explanation and Analysis—Religion and Prayer:
The motif of religion recurs in the text as a symbol of discipline, order, and tradition (in contrast to Anne's unconventional beliefs). In Chapter 7, as Anne and Marilla debate the meaning of prayer, Anne asks an important question:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Why must people kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray I’ll tell you what I’d do. I’d go out into a great big field all alone or into the deep, deep, woods, and I’d look up into the sky—up—up—up—into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its blueness. And then I’d just feel a prayer.”
Related Themes:
Chapter 11: Anne’s Impressions of Sunday School
Explanation and Analysis—Fashion :
Anne's interest in fashion becomes a motif that shows what a novelty it is for an orphan to possess nice things. In Chapter 11, Anne wishes that Marilla would make her a dress with puffed sleeves:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Oh, I am grateful,” protested Anne. “But I’d be ever so much gratefuller if—if you’d made just one of them with puffed sleeves. Puffed sleeves are so fashionable now. It would give me such a thrill, Marilla, just to wear a dress with puffed sleeves.”
Related Themes:
Chapter 18: Anne to the Rescue
Explanation and Analysis—Romance :
In Anne of Green Gables, the motif of romance takes shape in three ways. Firstly, and most prominently, it refers to Anne's tendency to romanticize her life. She idealizes every situation, relying on her optimism and imagination to endure hardships. For example, she expresses her distress at having red hair by calling her life "a perfect graveyard of buried hopes" because it sounds "so nice and romantic, as if I were a heroine in a book." Life as an orphan was dull and boring, so she read books that inspired her to reconsider her life through the lens of romantic imagination.
Unlock with LitCharts A+
Related Themes:
Chapter 25: Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves
Explanation and Analysis—The Natural World:
The natural world becomes a motif in Anne of Green Gables that suggests the beauty and mystery of life. From the first moment of her arrival, Anne expresses awe at Avonlea's natural features. In Chapter 4, on Anne's first morning at Green Gables, she peers out her window at a cherry tree in full bloom:
Unlock with LitCharts A+A huge cherry-tree grew outside, so close that its boughs tapped against the house, and it was so thick-set with blossoms that hardly a leaf was to be seen. On both sides of the house was a big orchard, one of apple-trees and one of cherry-trees, also showered over with blossoms; and their grass was all sprinkled with dandelions. In the garden below were lilac-trees purple with flowers, and their dizzily sweet fragrance drifted up to the window on the morning wind.
Related Themes:
