A recurrent idea or element in a work of literature is known as a?

A recurrent idea or element in a work of literature is known as a motif.

Here's a breakdown:

* Motif: A recurring symbol, image, theme, or idea that helps develop a work's meaning. It can be a single word, phrase, object, or even a pattern of events.

* Theme: A central idea or message that the author explores throughout the work. While motifs contribute to themes, they are not themes themselves.

Examples of motifs:

* Blood in Shakespeare's Macbeth as a symbol of guilt and violence.

* The color green in The Great Gatsby representing wealth, envy, and the American Dream's illusion.

* The journey in many stories symbolizing personal growth or a search for meaning.

Let me know if you'd like more examples or have any other literary terms you'd like to explore!