difference between a theme, motif and symbol (1 Viewer)

[oranGez]

what exactly is the difference between a theme, motif and symbol??

 

[kami]

Theme: This is the idea or issue that is in general presented to you by a text. For example one of the themes in Lear are: blindness resulting from power or in a Pardoner's Tale the theme is: greed is the root of all evil.
Symbol: This is something within a text that represents something else and is often some kind of imagery. For example, doves flying can represent peace or ravens can be a symbol of death alternatively a medal given to a veteran can be a symbol for their bravery.
Motif: This is basically the recurring symbols of a text for example if the texts had ravens in every scene then it would be a motif as it would keep popping up.

 

[glitterfairy]

Just adding on:

Themes: Can be obvious, underlying, or both (ie multiple themes within the one chapter/extract/novel).

Symbol: Usually visual (or something like it), however it can also be a pattern of distinguishable "Things" (eg an order of bottle cans, a set of hand-signals)

 

[oranGez]

thanks guys, much appreciated