leitmotif

Noun

leitmotif (plural leitmotifs)

1. A melodic theme associated with a particular character, place, thing or idea in an opera.
   • In Wagner's operas, especially his cycle of four operas known collectively as the Ring cycle, the leitmotif did not simply label or point to one particular character or object but rather conjured up a realm of ideas.2014, Michael Slowik, After the Silents, Columbia University Press, →ISBN, page 14
2. (broadly) A recurring theme.
   • People have pointed out the influence of Wagner’s music on my work. Certainly I do not disclaim this influence. In particular, I followed Wagner in the use of the leitmotif, which I carried over into the work of language.1953 January, Thomas E. Mann, “The Making of "The Magic Mountain"”, in The Atlantic
   • If one looks for a pattern in the political life of John Connally, one finds a leitmotif of scandals which threatened but never destroyed his career.1975 October 27, Aaron Latham, “John Connally on the Comeback Road”, in New York, volume 8, number 43, page 48

   Synonyms:

   common thread