1. Symbols vs. Motifs

2. Symbols in Literature A symbol is the use of a concrete object to represent an abstract idea. A symbol is the use of a concrete object to represent an abstract idea. Occurs when an object, person, or situation represents an abstract idea in addition to a literal meaning. Occurs when an object, person, or situation represents an abstract idea in addition to a literal meaning. Symbols may appear in literature in a number of different ways: an object, a word, a figure of speech, an action, an event, or a character. Symbols may appear in literature in a number of different ways: an object, a word, a figure of speech, an action, an event, or a character. Over time, certain symbols have become ‘conventional’ or ‘traditional’ literary symbols because they have an agreed upon meaning, so they can be used to suggest universal ideas. (scribd.com) Over time, certain symbols have become ‘conventional’ or ‘traditional’ literary symbols because they have an agreed upon meaning, so they can be used to suggest universal ideas. (scribd.com)

3. Conventional symbols in literature: Seasons Spring Summer Autumn Winter maturity, knowledge decline, aging, nearing death death, sleep, hibernation, or stagnation birth, new beginning

4. Conventional symbols in literature: Colors Innocence Innocence Purity Purity Enlightenment Enlightenment Light Light Death Death Ignorance Ignorance Evil Evil

5. Conventional symbols in literature: Walls Barriers between people Barriers between people Both physical and mental Both physical and mental

6. Conventional symbols in literature: Key The power to let in or shut out The power to let in or shut out To hold a key is to have been initiated To hold a key is to have been initiated

7. Conventional symbols in literature: Ladder Ascension Ascension Realization of potential Realization of potential

8. Conventional symbols in literature: Journey Quest for truth Quest for truth Life itself Life itself

9. Conventional symbols in literature: Storms Violent human emotions Violent human emotions

10. Conventional symbols in literature: Water Origin of life Origin of life Washes away guilt Washes away guilt Regeneration Regeneration

11. Conventional Symbols in Literature: Animals Peace Peace Purity Purity

12. Conventional Symbols in Literature: Animals slyness slyness cleverness cleverness

13. Conventional Symbols in Literature: Animals death death destruction destruction

14. Conventional Symbols in Literature: Animals power power pride pride

15. Conventional Symbols in Literature: Animals pride pride vanity vanity

16. Conventional Symbols in Literature: Animals temptation temptation evil evil

17. Conventional Symbols in Literature: Animals shyness shyness weakness weakness

18. Conventional Symbols in Literature: Animals wisdom wisdom

19. Conventional Symbols in Literature: Animals sacrifice sacrifice child of God child of God

20. Motif a recurring thematic element (as in the arts) (merriamwebster.com) a recurring thematic element (as in the arts) (merriamwebster.com) a recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature (uncp.edu) a recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature (uncp.edu) an idea that is used many times in a piece of writing or music. The motif of betrayal is crucial in all these stories (dictionary.cambridge.org) an idea that is used many times in a piece of writing or music. The motif of betrayal is crucial in all these stories (dictionary.cambridge.org) A distinctive feature or dominant idea in an artistic or literary composition (google.com/dictionary) A distinctive feature or dominant idea in an artistic or literary composition (google.com/dictionary)

21. So what’s the difference between symbol & motif? Symbol Is something concrete that stands for something abstract Is something concrete that stands for something abstract Appears only once Appears only once Motif Can be concrete OR abstract Can be concrete OR abstract Recurs again and again Recurs again and again