Recurrent theme (5)
I believe the answer is:
trope
'recurrent theme' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for trope that I've seen before include "ironical expression" , "literary effect" , "Metaphorical use of a word or expression" , "metaphor, perhaps" , "Image, figure of speech" .)