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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
Key Examples in The Satanic Verses
Part 1, Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis—Fused Words:
Throughout the novel, Rushdie occasionally uses a stylistic motif in which he fuses disparate words into one. In Chapter 2 of Part 1, for instance, he writes:
For many of his fans, the boundary separating the performer and his roles had longago ceased to exist.
Related Themes:
Part 1, Chapter 3
Explanation and Analysis—Fused Words:
Throughout the novel, Rushdie occasionally uses a stylistic motif in which he fuses disparate words into one. In Chapter 2 of Part 1, for instance, he writes:
Unlock with LitCharts A+For many of his fans, the boundary separating the performer and his roles had longago ceased to exist.
Related Themes:
Part 3, Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—The Omniscient "I":
Throughout the novel, a first-person narrator appears very occasionally. This first-person voice functions as a motif. Near the beginning of Part 3, for instance, Rushdie writes:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Higher Powers had taken an interest, it should have been obvious to them both, and such Powers (I am, of course, speaking of myself) have a mischievous, almost a wanton attitude to tumbling flies.
Related Themes:
Part 5, Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis—Fused Words:
Throughout the novel, Rushdie occasionally uses a stylistic motif in which he fuses disparate words into one. In Chapter 2 of Part 1, for instance, he writes:
Unlock with LitCharts A+For many of his fans, the boundary separating the performer and his roles had longago ceased to exist.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—A Pure Idea:
The notion of an idea or belief system that is pure, uncompromising, and intense is a recurring motif throughout the novel. Often, this motif appears in the context of religious radicalism; the prophets that populate the novel, from Mahound to Ayesha, are examples. In two key passages, though, Rushdie addresses the concept head-on.
First, when Gibreel is madly wandering London in Part 5, Rushdie writes:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Any new idea, Mahound, is asked two questions. The first is asked when it's weak: WHAT KIND OF AN IDEA ARE YOU? Are you the kind that compromises, does deals, accommodates itself to society, aims to find a niche, to survive; or are you the cussed, bloody-minded, ramrod-backed type of damnfool notion that would rather break than sway with the breeze?—The kind that will almost certainly, ninety-nine times out of a hundred, be smashed to bits; but the hundredth time, will change the world.
'What's the second question?' Gibreel asked aloud.
Answer the first one first.
Related Themes:
Part 7, Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—The Omniscient "I":
Throughout the novel, a first-person narrator appears very occasionally. This first-person voice functions as a motif. Near the beginning of Part 3, for instance, Rushdie writes:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Higher Powers had taken an interest, it should have been obvious to them both, and such Powers (I am, of course, speaking of myself) have a mischievous, almost a wanton attitude to tumbling flies.
Related Themes:
Part 8
Explanation and Analysis—A Pure Idea:
The notion of an idea or belief system that is pure, uncompromising, and intense is a recurring motif throughout the novel. Often, this motif appears in the context of religious radicalism; the prophets that populate the novel, from Mahound to Ayesha, are examples. In two key passages, though, Rushdie addresses the concept head-on.
First, when Gibreel is madly wandering London in Part 5, Rushdie writes:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Any new idea, Mahound, is asked two questions. The first is asked when it's weak: WHAT KIND OF AN IDEA ARE YOU? Are you the kind that compromises, does deals, accommodates itself to society, aims to find a niche, to survive; or are you the cussed, bloody-minded, ramrod-backed type of damnfool notion that would rather break than sway with the breeze?—The kind that will almost certainly, ninety-nine times out of a hundred, be smashed to bits; but the hundredth time, will change the world.
'What's the second question?' Gibreel asked aloud.
Answer the first one first.
Related Themes:
