motif

A thematic element in a poem or story that is repeated in some memorable way, sometimes to the point of creating a pattern. A motif could arise through a symbol, an image, a stylistic feature, diction choice, or a line of dialogue, as long as it is repeated and points to a theme of the story. Authors use motifs to help the audience see the message of a work of literature; we tend to think in patterns, and repetition is a good way to appeal to pattern thinking. Of course, some authors will point to motifs in more subtle ways than others (such as the style used to represent things instead of the things themselves).