Final answer:
A motif is a repeated element that has symbolic significance in a story.
Step-by-step explanation:
The literary device that is described in the question is a motif. A motif is a repeated element that has symbolic significance in a story. It can be a repeated image, symbol, word, or phrase that helps to develop certain themes or ideas in the story. An example of a motif can be the green light in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The green light is a recurring symbol that represents hope and the unattainable American Dream throughout the novel.
Learn more about The literary device of motif in storytelling.