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Universal Motifs

Universal Motifs. Motif. A reoccurring idea, image, theme, or symbol that appears in literature, or other works of art. Journey. Wizard of Oz Harold and Kumar Lord of the Rings The Odyssey You see a person at one point in his or her life and see how one journey changed the person.

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Universal Motifs

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  1. Universal Motifs

  2. Motif • A reoccurring idea, image, theme, or symbol that appears in literature, or other works of art.

  3. Journey • Wizard of Oz • Harold and Kumar • Lord of the Rings • The Odyssey • You see a person at one point in his or her life and see how one journey changed the person.

  4. Dante’s Inferno • Italian • Dante travels through the seven layers of hell, meeting a variety of historical figures along the way. • He is provided with examples of people who will suffer for eternity because of wrong-doings in their lifetime. • Dante’s journey through the afterlife is a journey that leads him from the brink of despair to enlightened awareness culminating in a direct vision of God.

  5. Examples in Course • Amir’s Journey in Kite Runner • Tell me WHY?

  6. Duality • The Nutty Professor • The Shining • Jekyll and Hyde • The concept of doubles has always had a hold on the collective imagination of mankind. The good twin/evil twin scenario, Jekyll and Hyde, Doppelgangers - there's something inherently disturbing and fascinating about the idea that there can be duplicates of something, or that one thing can be two conflicting entities at once.

  7. Two-Face from Batman • Harvey Dent was a District Attorney attacked by crime boss which lead to his disfigured face. • Dent developed a separate, more violent personality which drove him to embark on a life of crime. • Two-Face is obsessed with duality, and almost all of his crimes are based around the number two. • Uses a coin to determine whether he will perform an act of good or evil in a given situation.

  8. Examples from Course • Gregor’s duality in Metamorphosis • How does Gregor fit the definition of duality?

  9. Hero’s Quest (Search for Identity) • Star Wars • Harry Potter • Lion King • Steps: • Departure • Initiation • Return

  10. Perseus • Greek Mythology • Departure: • King of Argos heard he would die at the hands of his grandson. He locks up his daughter to avoid fulfilling the prophecy. • Zeus and the King’s daughter have a child, Perseus. • They are shipped away. • Initiation or Challenge • King of Seriphos loves Perseus’s mom and won’t leave her alone. • Perseus will do anything to make the king go away and accepts his challenge to kill Medusa. • With the help of the gods, Perseus successfully kills Medusa. • Return • Turns people to stone. • Accidentally kills his grandfather in the quiot-throwing competition.

  11. Examples from Course • Amir’s search for identity in Kite Runner

  12. Death and the Afterlife • All Dogs Go to Heaven • Always • What happens when we die? Where do we go? What do we do? Who is in charge?

  13. One of the most ancient myths in Egypt Osiris was ruler of the living world He kept order in the world so people would honor the god Tricked and killed by the evil Set Egypt was lawless while Set ruled Osiris’s wife Iris bore a child, Horus, to avenge her beloved husband’s death Desire to bring back Osiris, Iris and Thoth create the Ritual of Life, that which allows us to live forever when we die Osiris is brought back to life Yet nothing that has died, not even a god, may dwell in the land of the living God of the Dead gave up his throne for Osiris: there he stands in judgment over the souls Horus watches over us while we live, and gives guidance to the Pharaoh while he lives, and his father Osiris watches over us in the next life  Eternal battle between Horus and Set. Horus wins – world is OK, Set wins – world is in turmoil Day of Awakening – Horus defeats Set one last time and Osiris can return to world of living and all sorrow shall pass away forever Osiris

  14. Examples from Course • How could we make Metamorphosis fit the definition of death and afterlife?

  15. Fall from Innocence • Pandora’s Box • Coming of Age Story • Events that may bring about pain or teach a lesson

  16. Fall of Man • Adam and Eve • Living in the Garden of Eden, everything was beautiful and perfect • Eve gives in to temptation and also convinces Adam to eat the apple as well • Adam and Eve, and all of their children, will suffer forever

  17. Examples from Course • Amir, Hassan, & Sohrab in Kite Runner • Nora’s familial role in Doll’s House • Grete’s transformation in Metamorphosis

  18. Birth and Rebirth • Pinocchio • Death and resurrection • Gods can die and be reborn, or rise from the dead

  19. Birth of Bodhisatta • Hindu • Prince Badfruit and Prince Poorfruit • King Badfruit is killed by Poorfruit • Badfruit’s wife was pregnant, but this was not the baby’s first birth • He was reborn in many lives – sometimes as poor animals, sometimes as long-living gods and sometimes as human beings

  20. Birth and Rebirth • Hassan & Sohrab Kite Runner • Gregor’s transformation in Metamorphosis

  21. Challenge to Authority • 300 • Questioning the established beliefs/rulers

  22. Loki • Norse (Viking or Scandinavian Mythology) • Balder had nightmares of death, but the gods had vowed not to kill him. Instead they would pretend to kill him. • Loki had the mistletoe (who had not sworn to protect him) kill Balder

  23. Examples from Course • Hassan challenges Assef • Amir challenges Assef and authorities • Sohrab challenges Assef • Nora challenges Torvald and societal demands

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