recurring-motifs

Vocabulary Word

Definition

'Recurring motifs' in literature or art refers to distinguished elements or themes that reappear throughout a work. These motifs add depth to the work and often have symbolic meaning.

Examples in Different Contexts

In film, recurring motifs are visual or thematic elements that are used throughout to reinforce the film's message or mood. A film critic might explain, 'The use of water as a recurring motif in this movie represents transformation and rebirth.'

Practice Scenarios

Music

Scenario:

Did you notice the musical phrase that keeps repeating in the symphony? What emotions do you think the composer is aiming to evoke through it?

Response:

I think via the recurring motif, the composer effectively conveys a sense of longing and nostalgia.

Film

Scenario:

The ticking clock in various scenes seems to suggest something. Do you interpret that as a source of tension or a representation of the inevitability of time?

Response:

The recurring motif of the ticking clock definitely enhanced the suspense, making me feel the characters' urgency and time pressure.