How do symbols and motifs work together?
How do symbols and motifs work together?
Since multiple symbols can be used to explain a motif, let’s break down a few examples. Let’s say we have a story about a family struggling to stay together, parents considering divorce. We might encounter a motif of fragmentation that could come from several symbols that appear in a book:
- Shattered glass
- A runaway (pet, teen, car)
- An explosion
- A scattered puzzle
Sometimes a motif can also be a study on contrast, like the theme of good versus evil, or “light and dark.” A series of symbols that could represent this motif might be:
- Moon shadows (shades of darkness)
- A candle (a light in the darkness)
- Storm clouds (temporary darkness)
- A ray of sunshine (emerging from darkness)
- A tunnel (through the darkness)
The symbols and motifs you discover in your reading will lead to the understanding of an overall theme of your book. To find the theme of a book, you should look for an overall message or lesson. If you do encounter the motif of “light and dark” in a book, you should think about a message that the author is trying to send about life.
The light and dark of a story might tell us:
- Love survives death
- Life renews itself
- Knowledge conquers fear
Tip: if you see a series of symbols or a collection of motifs, but you can’t come up with a theme, try inserting a verb to describe the object. If you see a lot of references to fire, for example, you can ask yourself what action we might associate with fire.
- Fire burns
- Fire destroys
- Fire warms
Consider which of these behaviors make sense in the context of the novel or story you are reading.
