MOTIF In a literary work, a motif can be seen as an image, sound, action or other figures that have a symbolic significance and contributes toward the development of theme. Motif and theme are linked in a literary work but there is a difference between them. In a literary piece, a motif is a recurrent image, idea or a symbol that develops or explains a theme while a theme is a central idea or message.

MOTIF VS. SYMBOL Sometimes, examples of motif are mistakenly identified as examples of symbols. Symbols are images, ideas, sounds or words that represent something else and help to understand an idea or a thing. Motifs, on the other hand, are images, ideas, sounds or words that help to explain the central idea of a literary work i.e. theme. Moreover, a symbol may appear once or twice in a literary work, whereas a motif is a recurring element.

IN YOUR OWN WORDS, IN YOUR WRITER’S NOTEBOOK… What are motifs? How are motifs connected to theme? What is the difference between a symbol and a motif? Reoccurring images, ideas, or symbols in a novel. Motifs help support or develop a theme. Symbols are images, sounds, words, etc. that represent something else. Symbols may occur once or twice in a novel. Motifs are reoccur frequently and support the theme of the novel.

BEE MOTIF Isabel frequently uses the image and behavior of bees to describe how she is feeling. Your job will be to do the following: 1.With a partner/group, review a particular set of chapters from Chains and record evidence of the bee motif. 2.Evaluate how that motif is used, and infer what theme this motif could be supporting. 3.Evidence = direct lines from the text properly quotes with page numbers. 4.You should do all of your evidence collecting and evaluating on the paper your teacher provides. Find someone to work with and get down to BEEsness!!