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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
1. Mowgli’s Brothers
Explanation and Analysis—Man's Red Flower:
In The Jungle Book, animals in the Jungle only refer to fire through a metaphor, calling it the "Red Flower." This “flower” consistently reappears as a motif that points to Mowgli being more than an animal. For example, when Bagheera instructs Mowgli to go and fetch some fire, he says:
‘Go thou down quickly to the men’s huts in the valley, and take some of the Red Flower which they grow there, so that when the time comes thou mayest have even a stronger friend than I or Baloo or those of the Pack that love thee. Get the Red Flower.’
By Red Flower Bagheera meant fire, only no creature in the Jungle will call fire by its proper name. Every beast lives in deadly fear of it [...]
Related Themes:
