48 pages • 1-hour read
Twice
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Symbols & Motifs
Elephants
Elephants function as a symbol of memory, loyalty, and the endurance of relationships. In the story, Alfie’s childhood elephant friend represents a time before he possessed his magical gift; it was a period of innocence when he existed fully as a single, unburdened self. The elephant’s survival into Alfie’s adult years mirrors Alfie’s own emotional continuity, reminding him of lessons learned and bonds formed long ago. By purchasing and freeing the elephant, Alfie creates a physical manifestation of care and restoration, reinforcing the theme of True Love’s Ability to Endure, as his actions protect something he loves from neglect and suffering.
In addition, elephants’ longevity and reputation for memory operate metaphorically, suggesting that important experiences and deep emotional connections cannot be erased, much like Alfie’s enduring love for Gianna. Albom uses this symbol to explore how past experiences, particularly those tied to love and innocence, continue to influence the present. The elephant’s freedom and passing on to Vincent also demonstrates a moral reflection on intervention and the ethical responsibilities tied to one’s choices, connecting with the theme of Changing Fate and Interfering with Divine Design. Vincent inheriting the animal means that the wisdom Alfie has developed regarding memory and an appreciation for life have influenced him, and Vincent will carry these lessons into his own experiences and relationships.
The Composition Notebook
The Composition Notebook serves as both a literal and symbolic container of truth, memory, and intention. In it, Alfie records his experiences, feelings, and reflections, acting as a tangible link between him and Gianna across temporal and emotional distances and allowing him to skip to any moment in his past. The notebook represents the power of storytelling to preserve love and identity, connecting with the theme of True Love’s Ability to Endure, as it allows Gianna to understand Alfie’s enduring devotion even when separated by misunderstandings and time.
Its function is also meta-textual, as it emphasizes how narrative and reflection can intervene in fate, relating to the theme of Changing Fate and Interfering with Divine Design. The notebook’s presence demonstrates that love and memory can survive physical absence, serving as a guide for Gianna to recognize the permanence of Alfie’s love. Furthermore, the notebook allows Alfie to learn from and respect the past, something he failed to do when his mother and yaya attempted to convey their own stories to him verbally. Only through writing his own experiences down was he able to reflect on his life more comprehensively. It is through this notebook that emotional truths are made permanent, allowing the major characters to confront and reconcile past choices and feelings.
Repetition and the Word “Twice”
Repetition, especially of Alfie’s command “twice,” functions as a motif that emphasizes Alfie’s supernatural ability to relive and redo events of his life. It symbolizes the repetitive nature of the narrative, reinforcing the tension between desire, error, and consequence. The most significant repetition in the story’s events is the scene at the revolving doors during the storm, which is shown in the prologue, again later through Alfie’s memories, and again at the end when Gianna revisits this crucial moment. Through this repetition, the scene becomes a framing device for the story that demonstrates each character’s emotional growth and the subsequent development of Alfie and Gianna’s relationship.
The insistence on “Twice” metaphorically reflects human longing to perfect moments of connection, especially those involving love, loss, or courage. The motif also illuminates Alfie’s internal struggle to reconcile mistakes and obtain emotional satisfaction. This relates to Accepting One’s Life, Mistakes, and Mortality, as each repetition involves both risk and insight. Albom’s stylistic repetition mirrors the cyclical structure of Alfie’s experiences, symbolizing the human drive to revisit, understand, and influence events.
Music
Music in the novel functions as a motif representing emotional expression, memory, and connection across time. Alfie’s piano playing is a connection to his childhood, linking him to his mother and to a past self unencumbered by interventions with time, heartbreak, and loss. Through music, Alfie preserves an aspect of his identity that is constant despite the chaos of repeated reversals and romantic failures.
This motif also reflects the theme of Accepting One’s Life, Mistakes, and Mortality, as the act of creating music becomes a reflective practice, allowing Alfie to process loss and grief. Music is a vehicle for intimacy and personal reflection, showcasing the human need for familiar rituals amidst life’s unpredictability. By integrating music as a recurring motif, Albom conveys that emotional continuity is essential for personal growth and understanding. Music bridges the gap between past and present, reinforcing Alfie’s navigation of time and his pursuit of meaningful connections, especially with Gianna.
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