How would you identify interesting motifs in a novel?

Motifs in a novel are recurring and/or significant images. The most interesting motifs in a novel will be closely linked to integral themes running throughout. For example, in Cormac McCarthy's The Road, the can of Coke features to introduce a big main theme early in the novel: the isolation of the man and the boy, not only physically, but from all the comforts of the past. Even if an image appears only a couple of times, it qualifies as an interesting motif if it ties into significant themes, and can be analysed from multiple angles, in order to give a heightened insight into the text. An examiner will be looking for high quality and insightful analysis extracted from every quote used, so the ability to take themes from a motif is a good skill to master, and will earn points in exams.