Leitmotif
noun
A repeated theme or idea in a piece of music, literature, or art.
The leitmotif of the movie, repeated in several scenes, reinforced its message.
Often appears as...
- repeated leitmotif
- dramatic leitmotif
Usage tips
Literary
noun
A dominant or recurring idea in an artistic work.
The leitmotif of failure and redemption is evident throughout the novel.
Often appears as...
- dominant leitmotif
- recurring leitmotif
Usage tips
Academic
noun
A repeated theme or idea in a piece of music, literature, or art.
The leitmotif of the movie, repeated in several scenes, reinforced its message.
Often appears as...
- repeated leitmotif
- dramatic leitmotif
Usage tips
Literary
noun
A dominant or recurring idea in an artistic work.
The leitmotif of failure and redemption is evident throughout the novel.
Often appears as...
- dominant leitmotif
- recurring leitmotif
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Music Connection
Originally from opera, where melodies represent characters or ideas.
Wagner's use of leitmotif captures the essence of each character.
Pro Tip 2/3Cinematic Repetition
In movies, a leitmotif may be a melody that reappears to highlight emotional moments.
The haunting leitmotif underscored the hero's journey.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Significance
The leitmotif might be understated but holds deeper meaning.
The softly recurring leitmotif hinted at the protagonist's secret past.
Pro Tip 1/3Music Connection
Originally from opera, where melodies represent characters or ideas.
Wagner's use of leitmotif captures the essence of each character.
Pro Tip 2/3Cinematic Repetition
In movies, a leitmotif may be a melody that reappears to highlight emotional moments.
The haunting leitmotif underscored the hero's journey.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Significance
The leitmotif might be understated but holds deeper meaning.
The softly recurring leitmotif hinted at the protagonist's secret past.
Pro Tip 1/3Music Connection
Originally from opera, where melodies represent characters or ideas.
Wagner's use of leitmotif captures the essence of each character.
Pro Tip 2/3Cinematic Repetition
In movies, a leitmotif may be a melody that reappears to highlight emotional moments.
The haunting leitmotif underscored the hero's journey.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Significance
The leitmotif might be understated but holds deeper meaning.
The softly recurring leitmotif hinted at the protagonist's secret past.
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Quote examples
Justin Cartwright
British Novelist
America is the big subject of the second half of the 20th century, tackled in one form or another by all the great American male writers. You could make a case for saying that it was the only game in town - from Bellow to Roth to Updike to Richard Ford - America was more or less explicitly the leitmotif.
Quote examples
Robert Gottlieb
American Writer
Blood is the leitmotif of 'Black Swan.
Quote examples
Justin Cartwright
British Novelist
America is the big subject of the second half of the 20th century, tackled in one form or another by all the great American male writers. You could make a case for saying that it was the only game in town - from Bellow to Roth to Updike to Richard Ford - America was more or less explicitly the leitmotif.
Quote examples
Robert Gottlieb
American Writer
Blood is the leitmotif of 'Black Swan.
Example 1 of 2
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