recurring motif vs recurring theme

Both 'recurring motif' and 'recurring theme' are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Recurring motif' refers to a recurring element, image, or symbol in a work of art, literature, or music. On the other hand, 'recurring theme' refers to a recurring idea, concept, or message that is explored throughout a piece of work.

Last updated: March 21, 2024 • 1295 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in the context of art, literature, or music.

"recurring motif"

Use 'recurring motif' when referring to a recurring element, image, or symbol in a work of art, literature, or music.

Examples:

The use of birds as a recurring motif in the novel symbolizes freedom and escape.
The color red serves as a recurring motif throughout the artist's paintings.
The musical piece features a recurring motif that represents the main character's journey.

Show examples from the web [+]

Throughout the film, the recurring motif of "eyes" is connected to a constantly changing flow of images, and sometimes violent manipulations, in order to call into ...
In Shakespeare's Hamlet, we find a recurring motif of incest accompanied by incestuous desires of some characters. Laertes speaks to his sister Ophelia in a ...
In Lord of the Rings, the recurring motif is the ring itself. It's present throughout it all and represents an idea of power corrupts. Posted by Anonymous on Tue, ...
2A dominant or recurring idea in an artistic work: superstition is a recurring motif in the book. More example sentences. This distinctively narrative work presents ...

Alternatives:

recurring element
recurring image
recurring symbol

This phrase is correct and commonly used in the context of exploring ideas, concepts, or messages in a piece of work.

"recurring theme"

Use 'recurring theme' when referring to a recurring idea, concept, or message that is explored throughout a piece of work.

Examples:

The recurring theme of love and loss runs through the entire novel.
The film addresses the recurring theme of social inequality in urban settings.
The artist's paintings often reflect the recurring theme of nature and humanity.

Show examples from the web [+]

That is the recurring theme in the history of retirement planning--and, I'm afraid, this article. Sorry, Folks: One Way or the Other, You'll Never Be Able to ...
Trivia Question. In literature, what term refers to a recurring theme or image? Choose the correct answer: Unreliable Narrator Anxiety of Influence Narratology ...
Love and honour are the main themes of the book. a recurrent/recurring theme (= one that occurs several times): Musical instruments are a recurrent theme in his ...
By association, the word has also been used to mean any sort of recurring theme, (whether or not subject to developmental transformation) in literature, ...

Alternatives:

recurring idea
recurring concept
recurring message

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recurring motif vs recurring theme

"recurring motif"

"recurring theme"

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