A trope is a commonly recurring literary device or conventions in storytelling that conveys meaning beyond the literal level. It can refer to:
- A figure of speech or narrative device: for example, metaphor, simile, irony, or personification—devices that express ideas indirectly by linking them to images, qualities, or other concepts.
- A storytelling convention or motif: recognizable patterns or cliches within a genre, such as the "hero's journey," the "love triangle," or the "underdog triumph."
In usage:
- As a language term, a trope is a figurative device that stands for something beyond its literal meaning. This sense is often explored in rhetoric and literary analysis.
- As a broader storytelling concept, tropes are the recognizable building blocks of narratives that help audiences anticipate or interpret story choices, but can become clichés if overused without innovation.
If you’d like, I can tailor the explanation to a specific context (literary analysis, film, rhetoric, etc.) or provide examples from your area of interest.
