Answer: A. a recurring literary element in a story .
A motif is a recurring element that has special significance in a story. It can be an image, sound or action that through its repetition helps establish the theme of the narrative. It is different from a symbol in that a symbol is meant to represent something else, while a motif is meant to contribute to the development of the theme. Moreover, they will appear constantly, while symbols mostly appear only once or twice throughout a story.