Motif

From W100Wiki

A motif is a unifying element in an artistic work, especially any recurrent image, symbol, theme, character type, subject, or narrative detail. It can either be unique to a work or it may appear in many different works.

Examples: -In The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald-The colors white and green that are repeatedly appearing throughout the novel. -The Cinderella motif: poor, destitute woman is rescued by rich, handsome man.

From The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms Heather