1. Symbols, Motifs, Dichotomy

2. Motif
motif: A recurrent image, word, phrase, represented object or action that tends to unify the literary work or that may be elaborated into a more general theme. Also, a situation, incident, idea, image, or character type that is found in many different literary works, folk tales, or myths.

3. Motif Examples
You could decorate a room using a sports motif if you had pictures of famous athletes, maybe a baseball bat hanging on the wall, paint the floor to look like a football field, use a hockey stick as a curtain rod, etc.
A motif specific to literature is usually a recurring detail that repeats throughout the work. Generally, a motif will have some sort of symbolic significance in the story. It can be a character trait, object, color, idea, place, etc.

4. Symbolism

5. Symbolism
A person, place, object, or activity that stands for something beyond itself.
Ask yourself:
What might the characters, conflicts, and setting represent?
What ideas do these symbols communicate?
Now you practice…

6. What does a bald eagle symbolize?
Freedom
Pride
United States
Liberty
Strength

7. What does a dove symbolize?
Peace
Hope

8. What does a heart symbolize?
Love
Passion

9. What does clover symbolize?
Good luck

10. What does the color black symbolize?
Evil
Darkness
Fear
Death

11. What does spring symbolize?
Youth
Birth
Life

12. What does water symbolize?
Birth
Rebirth

13. What does a skull symbolize?
Death
Poison
Danger

14. What does autumn symbolize?
Middle age
Maturity

15. What does a rose symbolize?
Love Beauty

16. What does a crown and the color purple symbolize?
Wealth
Royalty
Honor

17. What does a full moon symbolize?
Danger
Weirdness

18. What does winter symbolize?
Death
Dying
Old age

19. Dichotomy
Dichotomy—A division into two opposing parts, such as the dichotomy of the soul and body or the dichotomy of good and evil in humans. Refers to the division of two contradictory thoughts, ideas, or opinions into two equal categories.