In any literary work you will have devices that convey some form of imagery or idea based on the image being provided to the reader through the writer’s delivery of his work. In some cases there may be misconceptions as it relates to the specificity of the purpose and function as well as differences between some of these devices. Also these devices render image, sound, actions that are of some major significance to the piece of work. The more often confused devices/techniques used are usually concerned with the differences of themes, motifs and symbols.
::Themes::
The Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary typically describes a theme simply as a main subject that is being discussed or described in a piece of writing, a movie, etc. In other words, a theme is basically the main idea that comes out in a piece of work. For example, some common themes used in literature are: love and relationships, maturity,trust, friendship,good versus evil, fate and free will, and so on.
However, themes exude themselves in many different ways. In a fable a theme is generally a moral, whereas a theme in a parable is usually a teaching and themes in a story may heavily relate to life and people’s behaviours. Overall, a theme is a universal truth that confines factual statements about society, human nature or based on the human conditioning factor that is posed. Also, the theme can be an opinion of an author or raised questions about the nature of man.
The story of “Charlette’s Web“, entails how a talking spider helps a pig(details of plot). Now, this encompasses the TOPIC, whereas the themes/main idea is that of sacrifice, true friendship, and perseverance that play out within the piece of work.
EXAMPLE OF A THEME:
“Although Okonkwo spends most of his time expressing his masculinity, he often ignores or violates feminine tenets like peace and valuing one’s family. Shunning of all things feminine causes him to commit ever-escalating crimes that lead to his downfall.” The theme identified here is the theme of gender.
::Motifs::
In literature a motif is often defined as a usually recurring salient thematic element that bares a dominant idea or central theme through the projection of a sound, image or action that is seen in any literary work. A motif differs from a theme and a symbol in a number of ways. These are:
- In a literary piece, a motif is a recurrent image, idea or a symbol that develops or explains a theme.
- On the other hand, a theme is simply just a central idea or message in a story.
In some cases motifs are confused with symbols. Motifs, on the other hand, are an explanation of the central idea of a literary work i.e. the theme. Moreover, a symbol may appear once or twice in a literary work, whereas a motif is a recurring element.
EXAMPLE OF A MOTIF IN SHAKESPEARE PIECE
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, we find a recurring motif of incest accompanied by incestuous desires of some characters. Laertes speaks to his sister Ophelia in a way that is sexually explicit. Hamlet shows obsession for Gertrude’s sexual life with Claudius has an underlying tone of an incestuous desire. Besides, there is a motif of hatred for women that Hamlet experiences in his relationship with Gertrude and Ophelia. Hamlet expresses his disgust for women in Scene 2 of Act I:
“Frailty, thy name is woman”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK ON THIS LINK
::Symbols::
Now, according to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary it is “an action, object, event, etc., that expresses or represents a particular idea or quality.” It also goes further to say, “something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance; especially : a visible sign of something invisible.” For instance,the lion which is a symbolic to courage.
Sometimes an author uses an object to add a deeper meaning to a story. The act of using symbols in pieces of work is known as symbolism. Symbolism is the practice or art of using an object or a word to represent an abstract idea. An action, person, place, word, or object can all have a symbolic meanings. Additionally, if an author wishes to hint at a certain mood or emotion, he may employ the use of symbolism to convey his idea without explicitly stating it.
FACTS ABOUT SYMBOLS:
- Symbolism is used to provide more meaning to the writing beyond what is actually being written.
- Objects are often used to symbolize something else
- Emphasizes key ideas or themes
- Themes are also use to develop an atmosphere in a text.
–> IDENTIFYING THEMES
Themes can be identified through colors or objects and names of characters, creature, places, etc.
EXAMPLE: A chain can symbolize the union or coming together of two things.
::CONCLUSION::
Whether or not these devices are brought out in a fictional or factual they still ought to reflect instances of reality based on the concepts that are involved in the piece(s) of work.
For additional information on themes, motifs and symbols check out this video and pdf.
References:
Fleming, G. (2014). What Is the Difference?. In Symbols and Motifs in Literature. Retrieved April 15, 2014, from http://homeworktips.about.com/od/writingabookreport/a/Symbols-And-Motifs-In-Literature.htm
Themes, Motifs and Symbols (2014). In Themes, Motifs and Symbols – Cumbernauld High School. Retrieved April 15, 2014, from http://www.upsd.wednet.edu/cms/lib07/WA01000687/Centricity/Domain/174/motif_vs_theme.pdf
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