Final answer:
In 'The Invention of Hugo Cabret,' significant motifs such as gears and cogs, clocks, stairways, secrets, and ghosts provide symbolic meaning, leading to a deeper understanding of the themes related to life, time, and the interconnectedness of events and characters.
Step-by-step explanation:
When identifying themes in a work, examining motifs is crucial as they are often symbolic and can lead us to understand the story's deeper messages. In The Invention of Hugo Cabret, five significant motifs include:
- Gears and cogs, which may symbolize the intricate workings of life or the connection between different characters and events.
- Clocks, which could represent the passage of time, the precision of fate, or the importance of history.
- Stairways, potentially illustrating the journey of life or ascension to knowledge and truth.
- Secrets, suggesting themes of mystery, hidden truths, or the complexity of human emotions and pasts.
- Ghosts, which could indicate a presence of the past or unresolved issues haunting the characters.
Through repetition, these motifs draw attention to themselves and their deeper
symbolic meaning
, helping readers uncover what the author may be conveying about life, time, and our connections to one another and history.