1. Theme, Symbols, and Motifs

2. Theme…What is it?
Themes can be found everywhere: literature, art, stories, movies, etc…
The theme of a fable is moral.
The theme of a parable is teaching.
The theme of a piece of literature is its view about life and how people behave.

3. Theme The main idea or message of a literary work. A universal truth
A significant statement a story is making about society, human nature, or the human condition.
Theme is not the subject of the work but instead is an insight about life or human nature.
THEME = IDEA

4. Theme Stated Theme- expressed directly
Implied Theme- revealed gradually through other literary elements such as plot, character, setting, point of view, imagery, figures of speech, or symbolism.

5. Example “‘Simply this: hunting had ceased to be
what you call ‘a sporting proposition.’ It
had become too easy. I always got my
quarry. Always. There is no greater bore
than perfection’”(74, The Most Dangerous Game)
Through Zaroff’s comments about hunting, the author implies that hunting animals is not sportsmanlike. With only speed and instinct, they are not fairly matched against man’s intellect and reason.

6. Theme…purpose?
An understanding of theme is dependent upon one’s experience of life and literature… yet…
Theme in literature can enlarge one’s understanding of life.
The theme will never completely explain the story, but rather supports all of the other elements in the story.

7. Common themes in literature
The quest for immortality
The individual’s relationship with and obligation to society… character vs. society
Individual’s journey to understanding him/herself… character vs. self
Individual’s relationship with and obligation to nature… character vs. nature

8. Common themes in literature
How justice and injustice are decided
What it means to be a hero or antihero
What it means to be a survivor
An individual’s experience with alienation or despair
What the future holds
Love and hate and effects of

9. Symbolism
The practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships.
a person, place, thing, or idea that stands for something else. They are used deliberately to reinforce meaning.
For example, a sword may be a sword and also symbolize justice. A symbol may be said to embody an idea.

10. Symbolism
A symbol may have more than one meaning, or its meaning may change from the beginning to the end of a literary work.
Personal: a meaning uniquely associated with our experiences
Contextual: a private meaning created by an author
Cultural: a meaning uniquely influenced by our culture (ex/ dogs represent faithfulness in China, but impurity in Indian/South Asian cultures
Universal: a meaning that is given to a thing by most people and cultures (ex/ lions represent deity, power and courage in many cultures)

11. How many symbols can you associate these images with
How many symbols can you associate these images with? (Don’t limit yourself to just objects. Think about shapes, colors, and parts of each image as well)

12. Motifs
A recurring image, word, phrase, or action that tend to create unity within a literary work.
Sometimes the motif helps to create the theme in literature
A motif differs from a theme in that it can be expressed as a single word or fragmentary phrase, while a theme usually must be expressed as a complete sentence.

13. Motif Examples
A recurring motif in George Orwell's "1984" is urban decay. Winston Smith's run-down home, London's crumbling buildings, and the overall disintigration of the city all support Orwell's theme of the miserable results of total government control.

14. Below is a short list of common literary motifs…there are sooo many more!
Clothing Seasons Colors
Death Supernatural Adversaries
Extraordinary Animals Wishes
Magical Objects Magical Powers Deep Sleeps
Witches Trickery Illness
Consequences of Greed Flowers/plants
Beautiful Princess  Foolish or Dimwitted Hero