Motif and Theme

Motif: any recurring image, object, idea, or element in a particular work  motifs should contribute some form of symbolic significance to the story. may be used to establish mood and atmosphere may reinforce/further explore the overriding themes of a story. Can you think of something that could be a motif with me? An object, idea, image, color, element…

Ms. Dille’s Motifs Love of Harry Potter High heels Earrings Sparkling water The color black Low lighting

Why are motifs important? add depth convey meaning shape the way a reader receives, responds to, or understands a text Help us discover the theme of a story *youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RRnHgYpSBk

Motifs in The Pastiche What elements keep reoccurring? Are there certain colors? Pieces of nature? Events?

Motifs in The Pastiche Water Mele on the houseboat Visiting Sandrine (following the Seine – river) Visiting Sandrine again “Sandrine turned her pale face to the side, staring out the window at the rolling sea.”

Water continued… First time we meet Elise – on the beach Running away from the “bad men” with his mother and sister – boat through the mangroves Alim’s wedding night – Telling her the truth as they overlook the ocean Rehearsing for Mele’s kill “Then he mourned, quietly, smelling the metallic of Mele’s blood, shifting as the boat rocked in the sea, listening to the cry of seagulls.”

Motifs in The Pastiche Sunlight Mele on the houseboat “His skin was brown from the tropical sun, his eyes the color of sea-glass” First time we meet Elise “He squinted from the sunlight, though he loved the way it made her hair shine.” When his mother dies “The sun warmed the top of his head as he walked back from town.”

Motifs in The Pastiche Memory Windows Weapons Light Travel Sunlight versus the grey daylight of the prison The globe powering on and off, lighting up with memories and distinguishing when done Travel Where’s Mele? Where’s Sandrine? His childhood? Mr. Yuen? Elise?

The Meaning of Motifs Water Mele on the houseboat Where do we see the motif of water? Water Mele on the houseboat Visiting Sandrine (Introduces her) First time we meet Elise Running away from the “bad men” with his mother and sister Alim’s wedding night (Telling her the truth) Rehearsing for Mele’s kill

Where do we see the motif of water? Mele on the houseboat Visiting Sandrine (Introduces her) First time we meet Elise Running away from the “bad men” with his mother and sister Alim’s wedding night (Telling her the truth) Rehearsing for Mele’s kill *What is the connotation of water? * Why does it show up in these events? *What does it tell us about Alim’s character, or how he feels?

Sunlight Mele on the houseboat *What is the connotation of sunlight? How does it make you feel? *What does that tell us about Alim’s character or how he feels about these situations? Mele on the houseboat “His skin was brown from the tropical sun, his eyes the color of sea-glass” First time we meet Elise “He squinted from the sunlight, though he loved the way it made her hair shine.” When his mother dies “The sun warmed the top of his head as he walked back from town.”

Contrasting Light and Grey daylight Beginning – Alim’s prison Shift from the memory of Elise on the beach to the present before Alim remembers meeting Mr. Yuen for the first time. “How much brighter the world was when she smiled. Remember this, he told himself. Remember how she makes you feel. …. The memory faded, the gold of the sun shifting into the grey of his prison. A light remained, but it wasn’t from his dream. The globe in the center of the room hummed. The simulation would start at any moment. Alim was ready.”

Contrasting Light and grey Daylight Light even at nighttime – Telling Elise the truth “The room faded away once more, replaced by the burning lights of a luxurious hotel suite overlooking the ocean.” Grey daylight with the Carver “The orphanage disappeared, leaving Alim and the Carver in silence as the globe hummed. The grey light of dawn filtered in through the room’s window, catching the scarlet blood running from Jean’s wound.” Final scene “The simulation faded. The globe powered off, extinguishing the light. There were no memories left to show, no other moments Alim considered his worst.”

What’s the purpose of using light? What does that tell us about Alim? When does light come to him? How about windows? Window in his prison Window when he visit Sandrine Why does

Conclusions What does Alim really want? How does he feel about his past? Does he have regrets? Does he want to change?