No name for the characters
One of the common motifs which can be found in the writings is the lack of names. The major characters are simply referred to as being ‘’he’’, ‘’she’’ and so on and when a proper name does appear in the writings, it is unclear whether is refers to a character mentioned in the play or opera or to someone who has no link whatsoever with the story. This general lack of names transmits the idea that every person could at times find themselves in the same situation as the characters and thus it makes it easier for the reader to relate to the situations through which the characters go through.
Symbol for excessive pride
In "If I Told Him, A Completed Portrait of Picasso’’, towards the middle of the second part, the narrator mentions how Napoleon became in time exactly like all the kings before him, becoming more and more proud to the point where he was no longer willing to listen to any advice coming from anybody and instead harbored the idea that he knew everything. From that point on, every time the narrator tried to transmit the idea of excessive pride, she used the term ‘’kings’’. Thus, the various kings mentioned in "If I Told Him, A Completed Portrait of Picasso’’ are used as a symbol for excessive pride.
Symbol for equality
Towards the end of the story "How She Bowed to her Brother’’, the narrator writes about how the sister and the brother ended up one day riding alongside one another. During the trip, the brother would bow in front of the sister and the sister would do the same in turn. The ride which takes place side by side is used in this context as a symbol, suggesting the way in which the brother and sister became equal for the first time.
Symbol for common characteristics
In the beginning of "A Carafe, that is a Blind Glass’’, the narrator explains in great detail the image of a glass which eventually turns into a carafe. As the story progresses, the elements described become more and more alike until they share the same description. The carafe is used in this case as a symbol, suggesting the way in which humans share a common set of characteristics and also to transmit the idea that every person is more or less the same.
Repetition
One of the most important motifs which can be found in the plays and operas is the constant repetition of words, sometimes at random and sometimes appearing to have no grammatical sense. This use of language is particular to the author and is considered as being one of her signatures. This feature can be considered a motif since it appears in every piece written by the author.
