The use of a motif in Hillary Clinton's speech
I can identify and explain how Hillary Clinton uses a motif in her speech about women’s rights.
The use of a motif in Hillary Clinton's speech
I can identify and explain how Hillary Clinton uses a motif in her speech about women’s rights.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A motif is a repeated idea within a piece of writing, that has symbolic significance.
- Motifs give the opportunity to weave thematic ideas and give another layer of meaning.
- Clinton uses the motif of speech and silence.
- The motif suggests women have been silenced and they have not been afforded the freedom and rights of men.
Common misconception
Students can think a motif is a symbol used once or think it is deployed in the same way as a semantic field.
Remind them of the etymology - there has to be movement and change of the motif. A semantic field does not have to be symbolic.
Keywords
Motif - a recurring idea, or symbol that contributes to the overall meaning of a work
Global - relating to the whole world
Collective - done by people acting as a group
Solidarity - unity or agreement about a feeling or action
Recurring - happening again and again
Equipment
You will need a copy of Hillary Clinton’s speech to the United Nations, delivered in September 1995. It's available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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Starter quiz
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pattern
worldwide
shared
unity
ongoing