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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 • 1229 views

recurring motif

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

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.
  • 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

recurring theme

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

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.
  • 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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