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
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—Character Comparisons:
Dumas regularly describes characters through allusions to other literary characters. This motif first appears in Chapter 1, when he introduces d'Artagnan by alluding to Don Quixote:
A young man…Let us sketch a rapid portrait of him. Imagine Don Quixote at eighteen, a Don Quixote without chain mail or thigh pieces, wearing a woolen doublet whose original blue had been transformed into an elusive shade between purple and azure.
Related Themes:
Chapter 32
Explanation and Analysis—Character Comparisons:
Dumas regularly describes characters through allusions to other literary characters. This motif first appears in Chapter 1, when he introduces d'Artagnan by alluding to Don Quixote:
Unlock with LitCharts A+A young man…Let us sketch a rapid portrait of him. Imagine Don Quixote at eighteen, a Don Quixote without chain mail or thigh pieces, wearing a woolen doublet whose original blue had been transformed into an elusive shade between purple and azure.
Related Themes:
Chapter 37
Explanation and Analysis—Milady the Predator:
Dumas regularly uses similes comparing Milady to animals and non-human creatures, especially predatory or frightening ones. One example of this motif occurs in Chapter 37, when d'Artagnan first discovers the fleur-de-lis branded on her shoulder:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“My God!” he cried out, letting go of the negligee.
He then sat silent and motionless on the bed. But from his exclamation Milady realized what he had seen. Now he knew her secret, the terrible secret that no one else knew.
She turned on him like a wounded panther.
Related Themes:
Chapter 45
Explanation and Analysis—Milady the Predator:
Dumas regularly uses similes comparing Milady to animals and non-human creatures, especially predatory or frightening ones. One example of this motif occurs in Chapter 37, when d'Artagnan first discovers the fleur-de-lis branded on her shoulder:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“My God!” he cried out, letting go of the negligee.
He then sat silent and motionless on the bed. But from his exclamation Milady realized what he had seen. Now he knew her secret, the terrible secret that no one else knew.
She turned on him like a wounded panther.
Related Themes:
Chapter 60
Explanation and Analysis—The Man from Meung:
In Chapter 1, d'Artagnan foolishly challenges a stranger to a duel; this man, "the man from Meung," turns into a motif, mysteriously appearing to d'Artagnan every time some intrigue is afoot. In Chapter 60, d'Artagnan at last points him out to his friends:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“There he goes!” cried d’Artagnan, livid with anger. “Let me ride after him!”
“But who is he?”
“That man!”
“Which man?”
“The one who’s always appeared like an evil spirit when something terrible is about to happen, the one who was with Milady the first time I saw her, the one I was looking for when I got into a quarrel with Athos, the one I saw on the morning of the day when Madame Bonacieux disappeared—the man from Meung! I saw him! I recognized him when the wind blew open his cloak!”
Related Themes:
