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Definition of Motif
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the central themes of a book... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of... read full definition
Chapter 6
Explanation and Analysis—Portraits:
Throughout the novel, Emma paints portraits of the people in her life—including her father, Mrs. Weston, Knightley’s brother, and Harriet—forming a motif. The way Emma paints the various characters underlines the book's theme of misperception, in that she paints them to match how she views them rather than how they really are.
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Chapter 12
Explanation and Analysis—Traveling:
Near the beginning of the book, Emma admits that she has never left the small town of Highbury. As male characters come and go, and as Emma herself finally starts to venture out, traveling becomes a motif of the novel.
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Chapter 38
Explanation and Analysis—Dancing:
Social dances were very common in 19th-century England (where Emma is set), so it makes sense that balls and dancing show up as a motif in the novel. The way characters engage in dance throughout the novel mirrors social class dynamics in society as well as courtship patterns, hinting at who may make a good pair in marriage. When Emma and Frank dance, for example, they are seen as a good match for each other in terms of social standing, yet Emma does not feel particularly romantic feelings toward him, hinting that he is not the one for her.
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Chapter 55
Explanation and Analysis—Gossip:
Throughout the novel, characters constantly gossip about one another and often get the details quite wrong. All these moments contribute to gossiping as a motif in Emma, and this motif adds to the theme of misperception. That is to say, much of the gossip in the novel is based on misperceptions and misunderstandings (primarily on Emma’s part) that occasionally lead to serious repercussions.
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