narrative motif
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literary term; any recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story
In the Vinony graph
Within Vinony's link graph, narrative motif is referenced by 567 other articles, and connects out to stylistic device, narration and theme.
Vinony files it under Literary concepts and Literary motifs.
Its subject is documented across 34 Wikipedia language editions.
~3 min read
Encyclopedic overview
A motif (/moʊˈtiːf/ moh-TEEF) is any distinctive feature or idea that recurs across a story; often, it helps develop other narrative elements such as theme or mood.
A narrative motif can be created through the use of imagery, structural components, language, and other elements throughout literature. The flute in Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman is a recurrent sound motif that conveys rural and idyllic notions. Another example from modern American literature is the green light found in the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “narrative motif” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.