What are the motifs in The Belle of Amherst by William Luce?

Artistic thought versus rational behavior is a recurring idea in the story. Emily is a poet. She makes that very clear from her opening statements. She claims that her eccentric behavior is all an act for her own amusement at the expense of the village. Is she being honest though? Emily lives and breathes poetry choosing only the best words for poems and only the most natural beauty for her inspiration. In her mind, there is no separation between art and life. In this context, she is a playful child weaving art out of life.