Motif

Definition

A motif is a narrative element with symbolic meaning that repeats throughout a work of literature. Motifs may come in the form of recurring imagery, language, structure, or contrasts. In drama, motifs may also take the form of repeated music, visual components, or physical movements. The development of motifs in a work of literature often contributes to mood and/or theme.

Example-The Count of Monte Cristo

“If I live, everything changes; I become only a man who did not honor his own word, who failed to meet his obligations. But if I die, my body will be that of an unfortunate but honorable man. If I live, you’ll be ashamed to bear my name; if I die, you’ll hold your head high and say, ‘I am the son of a man who killed himself because he was unable to keep his word for the first time in his life’” (Dumas 107).

Function

The motif, suicide, is used many times in The Count of Monte Cristo. Suicide is repeated by many of the characters during the book. Mercedes first talks about committing suicide early in the book when Dantes is taken to prison. She thought it would be better to die than to marry anyone other than Dantes. Dante’s father starves himself to death when he hears of Dantes is imprisoned. And the quote above is from M. Morrel when he is telling Maximilien that it would be honorable to kill himself because he could not come up with the money for Thompson and French; M. Morrel says their name would be a joke if he does not commit suicide. Other common motifs are presented in the book such as the role of God in the lives of men, the limits of human justice, absolute and relative happiness, politics, love, alienation, friendship, revenge, and parental influences on children.

Another Example

In To Kill a Mockingbird, many "small town" images and values are represented. For example, there is a school play, where Scout and her classmates represent the various agricultural products of the county. There is a comforting scene with neighbors gathering after a fire. Things move "slowly" and people have “nowhere to go and nothing to do.”

Non-Original Mnemonic

Original Mnemonic

M-AKES

O-BVIOUS

T-HOUGHTS OR IDEAS

I-N

F-ICTION

Hubris

Hubris

Definition:

Extreme pride and arrogance shown in a character that ultimately brings about his downfall. Hubris is typical a flaw in the personality of a character in a powerful position. This character usually overestimates his capabilities, which then leads to his tragic downfall.

Example from The Count of Monte Cristo:

Villefort is an example of Hubris. He throws Dantes' letter in the fire, because he did not want his pride to be ruined. He then acquires a good fortune and name for himself, while Dantes is in prison. When Dantes returns, his family is ultimately killed, and he is left insane. His prideful actions early in the story, are later counteracted by his tragic downfall.

Function:

In this example, Hubris is used in several characteristics to show how pride and arrogance can ultimately lead to misfortune and ruin. Villefort ultimately pays for his early actions of pride when Dantes returns. In other literature, use of hubristic characters serves to portray a moralistic end. These characters are eventually punished, thus giving the reader a moral lesson. When a reader witnesses a tragic hero suffer from hubristic actions, it persuades them to be cautious of their own actions, avoiding the same end as the hero.

Another example from The Odyssey:

When Odysseus tricks Polyphemus and he escapes with the majority of his men. As they are sailing away, the Hubris takes place when Odysseus becomes arrogant and yells back at Polyphemus that his name was Odysseus and that he was the son of Laeretes.

Non-original Mnemonic 

Original Mnemonic:

Hubris sounds like "who pris" as in "Who's that priss?", as in a prissy/arrogant person.

Foil

Definition

In literature, it is a character who shows contrasting qualities with another character to emphasis the second character’s traits.

Example from The Count of Monte Cristo

“Forgive, Edmond, forgive for the sake of Mercedes, who still loves you!” (p.313) -Mercedes still cares for Edmond

Madame Danglars is cheating on Danglars with Lucien Debray

Function

Madame Danglars is a foil to Mercedes because it makes Mercedes’ character look stronger. They both have poor marriages, but only one stays faithful. Madame Danglars is portrayed as a bad mother and wife, so it emphasizes how good of a person Mercedes is because even though she still has feelings for Edmond, she stays loyal to Fernand.

Another example from Animal Farm

Snowball’s character in Animal Farm is a foil to Napoleon because he makes Napoleon the clear bad guy of the story. Snowball has big plans for the farm and likes to take into account the opinions of all of the animals, but Napoleon is more of a dictator and wants things done his own way. Snowball was a brave leader and was wounded when fighting the farmers, but he is eventually ran off by Napoleon and his attack dogs.

Non-original mnemonic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gQ_ti1r4gU

Original mnemonic

Find

Our

(non) Identical

Likenesses

Bathos Definition: Bathos comes from a Greek word meaning “depth”. An author or poet uses bathos when they begin to write a lot of metaphors, descriptions, or ideas to try and create a more emotional or passionate piece of work. This usually occurs to make the piece of work more comedic. This happens usually with an abrupt turn from the serious to silly, adding a comedic effect.

Examples from Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night's Dream”:

When the mechanics put on their performance of Pyramus and Thisbe. 

Function:

In this example from A Midsummer’s Night Dream, bathos is used very subtly. It adds more humor to the play because the mechanics themselves must be unaware of how bad they are acting. This combines the tragedy of the story with bad acting, which helps to add more emotion and humor to the play.

Other Example (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy):

“For a moment, nothing happened. Then, after a second or so, nothing continued to happen.” This is an example of bathos by having the expectation that something is going to happen and then after a few seconds still nothing happens adding a comedic effect.

Non-original Mnemonic: can be found here

Original Mnemonic:

BATH-SOap