German, < leit- leading- + motivmotive n.
Music.
In the musical drama of Wagner and his imitators, a theme associated throughout the work with a particular person, situation, or sentiment. Also in extended use. (OED)
"The narrative is filled with betrayals, large and small, between friends, lovers, and family members - a leitmotif made explicit by the bleak title, military parlance for one enemy soldier turning on another."
- "Books Briefly Noted", 27 June 2011 The New Yorker
No comments:
Post a Comment