Do you know what a leitmotif is?

[RangerWickett]

The opening line of my novel uses this word, which I learned back in fourth grade while listening to Peter and the Wolf. It surprised me that most people who've read my book haven't known the word. I'm wondering if I should change it.

Thanks.

 

[Welverin]

No, that's what dictionaries and the internet are for.

 

[Klaus]

:looks it up:

That's too fancy a word for someone's "musical theme".

 

[Jack7]

In my opinion RW one of the great functions of good writing, now sadly often in decline (though it is making a comeback), is exposing the reader to new (as well as ancient) terms, information, historical references, metaphors, allusions, etc.

Before modern communication modes readers were often exposed to new information through the medium of the novel. When I was a kid I often increased my vocabulary through reading novels.

The author was well educated and used his novel not only as a vehicle for entertainment, but for various other purposes as well, to make an important philosophical, social, spiritual, or psychological point. Part of that function was to expose the reader to terms and ideas that many might find obscure, or might never otherwise be exposed to. I've always thought this was an important part, or function, of fiction. I'm sorry to say that I think fiction has too often become synonymous with "mere entertainment," but I think that is but one function (and probably not even the most important function) of fiction.

But as the others have pointed out the internet allows easy access to information. So if a reader didn't know the definition of a leitmotif, it wouldn't take long to track it down. (Or one could just do what I sued to do, keep a dictionary and thesaurus nearby when reading - reading and writing are after all more than the art of "static word play.") And if the reader didn't know the definition, and looked it up, and learned the definition, then it certainly wouldn't harm them, and at worst might improve their vocabulary.

My personal opinion is never talk down to your audience. A novel is not a comic-book, is should be a work filled with "new ideas." Assume if you're audience doesn't know a thing, that they're smart enough to learn or to want to learn, and that one of your functions as an author is not just to entertain but also to inspire. Even to inspire one to learn what he doesn't already know.

I'd keep the term.
Exploit it even.

 

[Klaus]

The opening line of my novel uses this word, which I learned back in fourth grade while listening to Peter and the Wolf. It surprised me that most people who've read my book haven't known the word. I'm wondering if I should change it.

Thanks.

To clarify, I don't actually have a problem with the word, if you go out and explain the meaning through the text. Such as...

"He walked in with determination, his booted footsteps beating a cadence on the marble floor. A fitting leitmotif to underscore his already fearsome appearance. No symphony orchestra could do better."

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

Can the meaning be more or less understood in context? Does it sound nice read aloud?
If so, I'd imagine it's ok.

Keep it. It'll put hair on your audience's chest.


(Also, it has inspired my new status.)

 

[Jeremy Ackerman-Yost]

One of the advantages of all the reading I did as a kid is that I usually don't have to whip out a dictionary while reading anymore.

Going to get the dictionary is a healthy endeavor that is to be encouraged.

Of course, your near-future audience is going to be reading it in an electronic format that can use the word as a hyperlink straight to a definition. This has all the intellectual virtue with none of the good, old-fashioned hard work of getting that big Oxford off the shelf. Somehow, people will continue to avoid the effort.

...

Yes, I did walk uphill to school. How did you guess?

EDIT:
That word was also conspicuous in Rhyme of the Nibelung by Baddd Spellah with MC Frontalot... which song ought to be required listening.

 

[Jack7]

One of the advantages of all the reading I did as a kid is that I usually don't have to whip out a dictionary while reading anymore.


Going to get the dictionary is a healthy endeavor that is to be encouraged.

Of course, your near-future audience is going to be reading it in an electronic format that can use the word as a hyperlink straight to a definition. This has all the intellectual virtue with none of the good, old-fashioned hard work of getting that big Oxford off the shelf. Somehow, people will continue to avoid the effort.

Very good points. I think in cases like this technology has both beneficial aspects, and negative aspects. If the good aspects can be properly exploited, then information can be better utilized than at any time in history.

If technology becomes not so much a useful tool as a convenient crutch, then the mind suffers what the brain avoids.

 

[Bullgrit]

Part of that function was to expose the reader to terms and ideas that many might find obscure, or might never otherwise be exposed to.

Write the book in Latin, because more people should know Latin. Authors should expose their readers to it. Let the readers use an online translator if they need to.[/sarcasm]

I don't agree with the idea that authors should use archaic or obscure terms in some teacher-like manner to make readers learn new words. Authors should use the best word for the concept. Sometimes an archaic or obscure word is the best. Sometimes a common or new word is best. If "leitmotif" is the best for your particular text, use it. If it is not the best word right there, don't use it just to expose your readers to a new word.

Something to remember: if the reader has to look up a word in order to understand your text, you've just sent that reader away from your text. Most writers don't really want to keep sending their reader away from their work.

Bullgrit

 

[Desdichado]

Learned it as a kid with Prokofiev, yeah.

Was reminded of it watching documentaries about Star Wars.