Previous
Mood
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
Key Examples in Girl, Interrupted
Chapter 6: The Secret of Life
Explanation and Analysis—Locked Up:
Throughout the book, Kaysen uses language related to imprisonment to describe her experience at McLean. This motif emphasizes her feeling of imprisonment. In one example from Chapter 32, she describes her borderline personality disorder diagnosis as "charges," likening herself to a punished criminal:
So these were the charges against me. I didn’t read them until twenty-five years later. “A character disorder” is what they’d told me then.
Related Themes:
Chapter 21: Keepers
Explanation and Analysis—Locked Up:
Throughout the book, Kaysen uses language related to imprisonment to describe her experience at McLean. This motif emphasizes her feeling of imprisonment. In one example from Chapter 32, she describes her borderline personality disorder diagnosis as "charges," likening herself to a punished criminal:
Unlock with LitCharts A+So these were the charges against me. I didn’t read them until twenty-five years later. “A character disorder” is what they’d told me then.
Related Themes:
Chapter 32: My Diagnosis
Explanation and Analysis—Locked Up:
Throughout the book, Kaysen uses language related to imprisonment to describe her experience at McLean. This motif emphasizes her feeling of imprisonment. In one example from Chapter 32, she describes her borderline personality disorder diagnosis as "charges," likening herself to a punished criminal:
Unlock with LitCharts A+So these were the charges against me. I didn’t read them until twenty-five years later. “A character disorder” is what they’d told me then.
Related Themes:
