American Journal Of Philological Sciences
101
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue07 2025
PAGE NO.
101-104
10.37547/ajps/Volume05Issue07-25
Comparative Analysis of Themes and Artistic
Techniques in The Works of Modern English And Uzbek
Writers
Diana Komilovna Ruzmetova
Act.assoc.prof (PhD), Chirchik State Pedagogical University, Uzbekistan
Received:
31 May 2025;
Accepted:
29 June 2025;
Published:
31 July 2025
Abstract:
This article deals with comparison of the dominant literary themes and artistic techniques employed by
contemporary English and Uzbek writers. Through a detailed comparative study, the research seeks to identify
cultural, philosophical, and stylistic similarities and differences in the literary expressions of two distinct literary
traditions shaped by different contexts, histories, and languages. English literature, marked by postmodern
experimentation and global perspectives, contrasts with Uzbek literature and a resurgence of national identity.
Keywords
: Dominant literary themes, artistic techniques, contemporary, English, Uzbek writers.
Introduction:
In this paper, primary objectives include
the followings:
Analyzing key themes such as identity, freedom,
modernity, tradition, and social change; Examining
literary devices, narrative styles, and innovations used
by selected authors; Contextualizing the writers' works
within their cultural and historical environments. The
study will involve works by prominent modern English
authors (e.g., Zadie Smith, Ian McEwan, Kazuo Ishiguro)
and Uzbek counterparts (e.g., Hamid Ismailov, Togay
Murad, Erkin Azam), applying comparative literary
analysis and cultural criticism frameworks. The findings
will contribute to cross-cultural literary scholarship and
promote deeper understanding between English and
Uzbek literary discourses.The urgency of this research
stems from several converging academic and cultural
needs:
Globalization and Literary Dialogue: In the age of global
literary exchange, there is a growing need for cross-
cultural understanding of literary practices. This
research fosters intercultural dialogue by comparing
two literary traditions rarely studied together.
Underrepresentation of Uzbek Literature: While
English literature is widely studied globally, Uzbek
literature remains relatively underrepresented in
comparative literary studies. Highlighting Uzbek writers
on an international platform contributes to literary
diversity and global cultural equity.
Postcolonial and Post-Soviet Perspectives: As both
English and Uzbek literatures engage with legacies of
colonialism and empire (albeit from different vantage
points), this study offers new insights into how writers
address issues of identity, history, and cultural
transformation in a rapidly changing world.
Educational Value: The findings can inform curriculum
development in comparative literature, world
literature, and cultural studies programs, especially in
contexts where multicultural perspectives are
prioritized.
By bridging these literary worlds, the research not only
enriches the academic field of comparative literature
but also promotes mutual cultural appreciation and
intellectual exchange between the English-speaking
and Uzbek-speaking communities.
The writer or poet often employs multiple stylistic
techniques and expressive forms to reveal and
illuminate the character of their protagonist. Within
the domain of artistic style, one can identify various
phonetic phenomena such as sound substitution,
elision, amplification, vowel elongation, consonantal
layering, as well as literary devices including
alliteration, assonance, and contamination. Artistic
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style also distinguishes itself from other styles through
uniq
ue syntactic features. “According to A.Abdullayev,
who has conducted specialized research in this field,
syntactic elements play a crucial role in enhancing the
expressive power of the text. These include syntactic
gradation, synonymy, innovative use of conjunctions,
antithesis, monologue, pauses or silences, inversion,
repetition, and rhetorical questions” [1]; [18]. In artistic
discourse, various sentence types
—
such as colloquial,
interrogative, and imperative structures
—
form an
essential part of the syntactic framework. Exclamatory
sentences, in particular, are considered potent tools for
conveying aesthetic impact and emotional intensity to
the reader.
Furthermore, artistic speech often integrates diverse
forms of dialogic interaction, blending different speech
types within a single text. It can be stated without
exaggeration that contemporary Uzbek poetry is
characterized by a dynamic and vigorous energy. Given
that poetry has historically occupied a central position
in Eastern literary traditions and is rooted in a culture
of tolerance, modern Uzbek poetry both inherits and
transcends this legacy. While it maintains continuity
with its historical antecedents, it has evolved
significantly in terms of both form and content [2].
Thus, today's Uzbek poetry represents neither a
complete departure from nor a mere repetition of the
past, but rather a renewed literary phenomenon
marked by both innovation and tradition.
METHOD
Modern literature, shaped by socio-political changes,
globalization, and evolving cultural identities, exhibits a
diverse range of themes and artistic techniques. English
and Uzbek literatures
—
while distinct in language and
tradition
—
have produced notable writers whose works
reflect the changing ethos of their societies. This
literature review explores comparative studies and key
scholarly insights into the thematic concerns and
artistic approaches of modern English and Uzbek
writers, examining how these literatures intersect or
diverge in terms of narrative, symbolism, and stylistic
choices.
1. Thematic Concerns in Modern English Literature.
Modern English literature (post-1945 to the present) is
marked by a shift from traditional realism to
postmodern experimentation, with writers like Ian
McEwan [10], Kazuo Ishiguro [9], and Zadie Smith
exploring themes such as identity, memory,
displacement, and social fragmentation. According to
Childs [3], postmodern British fiction often critiques
institutions and questions established narratives,
engaging with multiculturalism and historical memory.
For example, McEwan’s Atonement interrogates guilt
and narrative truth, while Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go
merges dystopia with ethical questions about humanity
and loss. These authors frequently employ fragmented
structures, unreliable narrators, and metafictional
devices to enhance thematic depth [8].
2. Thematic Concerns in Modern Uzbek Literature.
Modern Uzbek literature, particularly post-Soviet,
reflects a transition from ideological realism to more
introspective and nationally conscious themes. Writers
like Hamid Ismailov, Erkin A’zam, and Muhammad Ali
explore themes of cultural identity, historical trauma,
tradition vs. modernity, and exile. Hamid Ismailov’s The
Railway and The Dead Lake deal with loss,
displacement, and Soviet repression, often using
allegory and symbolism to bypass censorship. Uzbek
literature, as noted by Karimova [5], often blends oral
storytelling traditions with literary realism, producing a
hybrid narrative form that reflects both modern
anxieties and historical continuity.
3. Comparative Themes: Identity, Memory, and Exile.
Both literatures display a strong concern with identity
and memory, though they emerge from different socio-
political contexts. English writers often address post-
colonial identities and hybrid cultural existences, as
seen in Zadie Smith’s White Teeth, which examines
immigrant life in London. Meanwhile, Uzbek writers
like Erkin A’zam highlight internal conflicts between
Soviet-era values and indigenous traditions. Exile is a
central theme in the works of diasporic writers from
both traditions. Hamid Ismailov, writing in exile,
navigates linguistic displacement and nostalgia, while
English writers with immigrant backgrounds explore
diaspora from a Western vantage point. In both cases,
literature becomes a medium for reconstructing
fragmented identities [4]; [6].
4. Artistic Techniques: Narrative Form and Language.
Modern English fiction often experiments with
nonlinear narratives, stream-of-consciousness, and
metafiction, reflecting the postmodern turn. Writers
like Julian Barnes (Flaubert’s Parrot) play with narrative
reliability, while Ali Smith’s How to be Both defies linear
temporality,
foregrounding
ambiguity
and
simultaneity. Uzbek writers, while embracing modern
techniques, retain traditional narrative forms such as
frame stories and folkloric elements. This results in a
stylistic blend of old and new. Ismailov’s works employ
symbolism, magic realism, and multilingualism,
challenging the monolingual literary tradition and
signaling a broader, cosmopolitan identity [4].
5. Language, Censorship, and Publishing Contexts. A
critical difference lies in the linguistic and political
environments. English literature benefits from global
dissemination and liberal publishing norms, whereas
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
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2771-2273)
Uzbek literature, particularly during and after the
Soviet era, has faced censorship and limited translation
exposure. As Abdullaev [1] notes, this restricts the
international visibility of Uzbek literature and
influences the modes of expression adopted by its
writers. However, the advent of digital publishing and
increased interest in Central Asian literatures is
changing this dynamic, allowing more comparative
work to emerge.
6. Existing Comparative Studies. Comparative literature
studies between English and Uzbek literatures are
limited but growing. Studies by Turaeva [7] and
Bekmurodov [2] have begun to trace thematic parallels
in post-Soviet and postcolonial narratives. These
studies emphasize the importance of literary
translation and intercultural dialogue to foster broader
literary connections.
DISCUSSION
Modern literature reflects the evolving identities,
ideologies, and social complexities of the societies from
which it emerges. Both English and Uzbek literary
traditions have undergone significant transformation in
the 20th and 21st centuries. While English literature
continues to explore postmodernism, multiculturalism,
and existential disillusionment, modern Uzbek
literature grapples with issues of identity, tradition, and
national consciousness amidst post-Soviet realities.
This discussion explores the major themes and artistic
techniques employed by modern English and Uzbek
writers,
highlighting
both
convergences
and
divergences shaped by distinct cultural and historical
contexts.
1. Dominant Themes:
A. Identity and Selfhood. Modern English writers like
Zadie Smith and Ian McEwan focus on fragmented
identity, often shaped by multiculturalism and personal
trauma. Smith’s White Teeth [6] explores the hybrid
identities of British immigrants, portraying how cultural
intersections redefine personal and communal
identities.
B. Postcolonialism and History. English literature often
reflects postcolonial anxiety. Writers such as Salman
Rushdie and Jeanette Winterson dissect colonial
legacies and the disorientation of modern existence. In
Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children, history is personalized
through the lens of the protagonist, reflecting how the
personal is inherently political. Uzbek literature,
especially post-independence, also addresses colonial
trauma
—
specifically the Soviet colonization. Themes
include cultural suppression, linguistic hegemony, and
historical revisionism. Erkin A’zam’s short stories often
revisit village life to examine how Uzbek identity
survived despite Soviet cultural impositions.
C. Modernization vs Tradition. Both English and Uzbek
writers grapple with the friction between tradition and
modernity. In Julian Barnes’ The Sense of an Ending,
memory and modern disillusionment take center stage.
Similarly, in O’tkir Hoshimov’s novels like Between Two
Doors, the erosion of traditional values in a rapidly
changing society is a central concern.
2. Artistic Techniques:
A. Narrative Structure and Experimentation. Modern
English literature heavily utilizes nonlinear narratives,
unreliable narrators, and metaficti
on. McEwan’s [10]
Atonement is a prime example, where shifting
perspectives
and
metafictional
self-awareness
question the nature of truth and storytelling. Uzbek
authors often blend traditional narrative forms with
modernist experimentation. Ismailov, for instance,
merges folklore, oral tradition, and Western narrative
modes to craft novels that are both structurally
complex and culturally rooted.
B. Language and Symbolism. English writers use rich
symbolism and intertextuality. T.S. Eliot’s poetry [12]
and
Virginia Woolf’s stream
-of-consciousness prose
symbolize the fragmentation of modern existence.
Uzbek writers, writing in both Uzbek and Russian, often
use allegory and metaphor derived from Islamic
mysticism, Sufi traditions, and folklore.
C. Magical Realism and Surrealism. Magical realism is a
shared technique. English writers like Angela Carter
incorporate myth and fantasy to subvert dominant
narratives. Similarly, Ismailov’s work features
fantastical elements to blur the boundaries between
reality and myth, particularly in critiquing historical and
political narratives.
3. Comparative Reflections. Despite different cultural
contexts, both English and Uzbek writers use literature
as a space to negotiate identity, memory, and socio-
political change. However, the English literary tradition
often reflects global perspectives and postcolonial
critique, whereas modern Uzbek literature is more
introspective, seeking to reconcile the individual with
national and cultural revival. Both traditions, however,
benefit from hybridity
—
embracing both local and
global literary influences.
Comparative literary analysis not only illuminates these
dynamics but also contributes to a more inclusive
understanding of global literary currents. Modern
English and Uzbek writers employ diverse yet
comparable thematic concerns and artistic methods to
explore the complexities of the human condition.
Through hybrid narrative forms, experimentation, and
cultural
introspection,
they
provide
rich,
multidimensional portraits of society in flux. The cross-
cultural examination of their works not only enriches
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
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2771-2273)
literary discourse but also underscores the universal
resonance of literature.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the works of modern English and Uzbek
writers reveal both converging and diverging thematic
and stylistic concerns. While shaped by different
histories, both literatures grapple with issues of
identity, memory, and displacement, using diverse
artistic tools rooted in their respective traditions. This
comparative study of contemporary English and Uzbek
literature has revealed significant insights into the
cultural, philosophical, and stylistic dimensions that
define each tradition. English literature, characterized
by postmodern experimentation, intertextuality, and
global consciousness, reflects a literary culture shaped
by globalization, individualism, and a questioning of
traditional narratives. In contrast, contemporary Uzbek
literature often draws from a renewed sense of
national identity, emphasizing themes of cultural
heritage, historical continuity, and collective memory
in the wake of post-Soviet independence. Despite these
differences, the research also highlights key
intersections. Both literary traditions grapple with
questions of identity, belonging, and the individual's
place in a rapidly changing world. Furthermore, each
employs innovative artistic techniques to navigate the
complexities of modern existence, though the sources
and manifestations of such techniques differ due to
linguistic, historical, and ideological factors.Ultimately,
this study affirms the value of cross-cultural literary
analysis in deepening our understanding of how
literature reflects and shapes the human experience
across diverse sociocultural landscapes.
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