1. In How I Learned to Drive, the most noticeable motif is the repetition of driving instructions. These instructions, such as "Idling in the Neutral Gear" and "You and the Reverse Gear." These statements are repeated at the end of one scene and the beginning of the next. There are few variations throughout the play in terms of what the statements say or mean, but they all serve the same purpose: to indicate the flow of time in the play or to mirror the events happening in Li'L Bit's life at this point in the play. When it is stated "You in the Reverse Gear," it means that the plot is moving back a year in time. When it is stated "Idling in the Neutral Gear," time stands still for a scene. At major plot points, other things are stated, such as "Were You Prepared?" and "Implied Consent."
2. In the TV series The Walking Dead, there are constant motifs of Rick Grimes being a savior figure of sorts for the rest of his survival group. There are several different points in the series when Rick is responsible for saving people and making the important decisions that nobody can make. He is a father, a sheriff, and makes sacrifices for his friends and family constantly.
I really like your analysis of what the title of the driving instructions means. I had sort of the same opinion, it was almost like and outline of the play or an instruction manual if you will of how to read the play and what to expect next. It could be a confusing play to read without those signs telling you if the play is flashing back to a previous time or whether its jumping forward or if time is continuing chronologically.
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