Related Words

Motif: A term meaning 'subject'. Flowers or roses can be a motif.

Frankenstein Motif: A motif in which a created being turns upon its creator in what seems to be an inevitable fashion. The term comes from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, a nineteenth-century novel in which Victor . . . View Full Definition

Leit-Motif: From the German term for 'lead motif,' a leit-motif originally was coined by Hans von Wolzuegen to designate a musical theme associated with a particular object, character, or emotion. For i . . . View Full Definition

Temptation Motif: A motif in which one of the protagonist's primary struggles is the conflict between his or her sense of (1) personal honor and ethics and (2) his or her personal desires, ambitions, or wicke . . . View Full Definition

Folkloric Motifs: Recurring patterns of imagery or narrative that appear in folklore and folktales. Common folkloric motifs include the wise old man mentoring the young warrior, the handsome prince rescuing t . . . View Full Definition

Ubi Sunt Motif: A literary motif dealing with the transience of life. The name comes from a longer Latin phrase, 'Ubi sunt qui ante nos fuerent?' [Where are those who were before us?], a phrase that begins . . . View Full Definition

Leitmotif: Leading motive, or basic recurring theme, representing a person, object or idea, commonly used in Wagner's operas.

Nostos: The theme or motif of the homecoming--a return to one's family, community, or geographic origins after a long time away. Traditionally, this Greek designation refers specifically to Odysseus . . . View Full Definition

Noble Savage: Typically, the depiction of Amerindians, indigenous African tribesmen, and Australian bushmen results in two sharply opposing stereotypes as follows: (1) When 'civilized' races dwell in clos . . . View Full Definition

Luddite: The Luddites of the early 1800s were part of an anti-technological, anti-industrial grassroots movement in Britain. They protested specifically the introduction of textile machines as a thre . . . View Full Definition