Motif
Motif means something, like a sound, sight, that is important to the theme of the book. There could many or very few motifs in a book or piece of literature. It is like a theme but there is a difference. Motifs explain the theme in small ways while the theme will explain the bigger idea. Some examples would be;
A motif in lord of the flies would be how everyone on the island struggles with an inner evil. An evil that compels them to be primal and cruel.
A motif in lord of the flies would be how everyone on the island struggles with an inner evil. An evil that compels them to be primal and cruel.