What Can a Motif Contribute to, or Become, When It Gathers Larger Significance Throughout a Text?

As any scholar will tell you, the motif is one of the most common literary devices that can be found in almost any piece of writing popular or obscure, old or new. The object in question can be anything: an apple, a bicycle, an ocean. 

Regardless of what it is and how it’s used throughout the text in question, when all is said and done there are some interesting conclusions to draw about their role.

In fact, it’s been said that a motif is nothing more than a literary form, albeit a rather simplistic one. A motif can be as simple as stealing something or borrowing something, or it can also be something more complex, something like the theme of an essay. 

The point is that, oftentimes, even the most succinct form of literature allows for a certain amount of complexity and interest to arise. 

As one who has read widely in literary theory and analysis over time I’ve come up with my own insights on the subject matter.

The answer is discussed here about what can a motif contribute to, or become, when it gathers larger significance throughout a text?

Here are some more information discussed about What Can a Motif Contribute to, or Become, When It Gathers Larger Significance Throughout a Text-

1. The motif is a common feature in all literature.

However, the manner in which it is employed in writing is what makes it so intriguing. In a study of texts, a motif can be said to be the representation of an object or idea that recurs throughout the work to make a specific point, it recurs so much that it becomes almost synonymous with the text itself. 

It’s worth mentioning here that, on occasion, a motif might not make as big of an impact as one would think. 

Everyone knows about one of the more popular examples of this literary tool: lemons used by Damon Lindelof and JJ Abrams on Lost throughout some episodes to symbolize death and rebirth. 

The point, as such, was to make the viewers think that the characters and thus their lives were coming to an end; this happened for a few episodes in a row. I’m sure that the audience of this popular science-fiction show was a bit perplexed.

2. In actuality motif is one of the key elements that plays into how we interpret literature.

There are other elements but these are some of the most important ones—what’s interesting is that most literary theorists don’t even talk about them, but rather look at literary devices like motifs as a whole. 

For example, when reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy by JRR Tolkien it’s very common to see people discussing Gollum as a character. Why? Well, he’s the ring bearer and he’s also a motif in the writing. 

You see, in all of literature, these objects aren’t really that unique. The point about Gollum is that he could be described as a puppet for Frodo, who was the ring bearer himself. Without this object contrary to what it would seem to be the text wouldn’t be quite as interesting.

3. How a motif is used throughout a text matters.

The Greek philosopher Aristotle made mention of how details can matter tremendously when reading anything literary, a strong example here being how “alliteration” can make or break a piece of writing. The same can be said about motifs here. 

The way in which Gollum is used throughout the text is what makes his story worth telling. In The Lord of the Rings trilogy, for instance, it’s made clear that he actually loves the ring to a degree that goes beyond what any hobbit creature should be capable of doing. 

So, in effect, Tolkien plays on this theme throughout several parts of his work in order to make sure that readers know how important Gollum really is as an element—he could’ve left him out altogether but that wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting.

4. A motif can ultimately define how you see a piece of literature as a whole.

In an essay, for instance, a writer might say that the overall form of his or her writing is one of a certain motif. 

But that’s only true if the work in question is actually worth mentioning, if it has some merit in what its author stands for, then the point and conclusion might be more than just a result of using a specific literary device. 

In this case, I could mention Plato’s Allegory of the Cave as an example here. In this piece the author uses numerous literary devices to make statements about reality and truth a truth he himself believes in but is unfortunately misinformed on in this particular piece.