THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
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SYMBOLISM AND IMAGERY IN THE DEPICTION OF LONELINESS IN
UZBEK AND ENGLISH SHORT STORIES OF THE 20TH CENTURY
G’afforova Sevara G’anisherovna
Master student of English Literature Department
of Asia International University
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15504078
Abstract
The theme of loneliness has been a significant subject in world literature,
particularly in the 20th century, marked by wars, rapid urbanization, and
shifting social norms. This study analyzes the role of symbolism and imagery in
conveying loneliness in selected Uzbek and English short stories. It compares
the cultural and stylistic approaches of writers from two different literary
traditions in expressing solitude and alienation through symbolic elements. The
study aims to reveal how universal emotions like loneliness are shaped and
deepened through specific cultural codes and artistic techniques.
Keywords:
loneliness, symbolism, imagery, short stories, English
literature, Uzbek literature, comparative analysis, cultural context.
Introduction
Loneliness as a human experience transcends cultural and national
boundaries. However, the way it is represented in literature varies significantly
depending on historical background, societal structure, and literary movements.
In the 20th century, English literature, particularly influenced by modernism,
depicted loneliness through internalized psychological conflicts, often using
fragmented narrative techniques and subtle symbolic imagery. Meanwhile,
Uzbek literature, influenced by historical transitions such as post-Soviet
collectivization and socio-political reforms, approached loneliness from a socio-
cultural perspective, integrating symbolism rooted in tradition and
environment. This paper aims to compare the symbolic and imagistic portrayal
of loneliness in 20th-century Uzbek and English short stories, highlighting both
universal and culture-specific representations. The phenomenon of loneliness
has been deeply rooted in human experience, especially during the turbulent
historical processes of the 20th century. Literature, reflecting the inner world of
man, has always turned to the theme of solitude, offering symbolic and vivid
images that convey emotional isolation. The English and Uzbek literary
traditions, despite their cultural differences, both paid significant attention to
the artistic portrayal of loneliness. This study aims to explore the cultural and
stylistic means through which writers from both traditions expressed the
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
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experience of solitude, highlighting common universal patterns and unique
national features
Methods
This study employs a comparative literary analysis method, which is
qualitative and interpretative in nature. The approach focuses on textual
analysis and cultural semiotics to explore how meaning is constructed through
literary devices such as: Symbolism – the use of objects, characters, and settings
that represent abstract ideas or emotions.
Imagery – descriptive language that appeals to the senses and paints vivid
emotional or physical scenes.
Corpus of analysis:
English literature: Katherine Mansfield’s Miss Brill and The Garden Party
and Virginia Woolf’s Kew Gardens
Uzbek literature: Abdulla Qahhor’s Odamlar orasida and Said Ahmad’s Ufq
and selected short stories
Analytical focus was placed on how loneliness is expressed:
Through natural symbols (e.g., trees, deserts, flowers)
Through man-made objects (e.g., clothing, homes, roads)
Via narrative techniques (e.g., stream of consciousness, descriptive
contrasts, symbolism embedded in setting)
Cultural-historical interpretation was integrated to understand the authors'
intentions and the audience’s potential reception within their respective
contexts.
Symbolism and Imagery in English Short Stories
In the works of Katherine Mansfield, such as “Miss Brill” and “The Garden
Party”, loneliness is depicted through delicate, nuanced imagery. Miss Brill's fur
coat, symbolizing her need for warmth and connection, becomes a powerful
emblem of her fragile social identity. The garden and public spaces, filled with
lively activity, contrast starkly with her internal emptiness. Mansfield's narrative
technique, employing stream of consciousness and fragmented reality, further
emphasizes the isolation of her characters.
Similarly, Virginia Woolf’s “Kew Gardens” presents symbolic imagery of
flowers and fragmented conversations to illustrate the disconnectedness of
human beings in a seemingly beautiful but indifferent world.
Symbolism and Imagery in Uzbek Short Stories
In contrast, Uzbek short stories often utilize traditional and natural symbols
to express loneliness. Abdulla Qahhor’s “Odamlar orasida” shows a protagonist
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
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who feels emotionally isolated despite physical proximity to others. Symbols
such as the vast desert, solitary roads, and fading light suggest emotional
abandonment and societal alienation. Said Ahmad’s stories often depict aging
and forgotten individuals using metaphors of withering trees, abandoned
houses, and silent streets.
Uzbek authors frequently ground their imagery in the familiar landscapes
of rural life, making the emotional experiences of their characters resonate
deeply with their cultural environment.
Comparative Analysis
Both English and Uzbek writers use external imagery to reflect internal
emotional states. However, while English stories focus more on individual
psychological fragmentation using subtle and often ambiguous symbols, Uzbek
stories use vivid, culturally resonant images to connect personal loneliness with
broader social realities. This difference reflects the contrasting literary
traditions: the introspective modernism of English literature versus the socially
reflective realism of Uzbek literature.
Results
English Literature. Katherine Mansfield’s Miss Brill:
The fur coat symbolizes the protagonist’s attempt to preserve her dignity
and self-worth. The moment when she hears others mocking her, she realizes
her loneliness. The imagery of the “stage” in the park reveals her desire to feel
part of something larger, while the reality of her isolation comes crashing down.
The Garden Party
:
The flowers, lavish garden, and upper-class setting contrast sharply with
the working-class neighbor’s death. Laura’s confusion and discomfort symbolize
her internal conflict and emotional detachment from both worlds.
Virginia Woolf’s Kew Gardens:
The fragmented conversations and the detailed description of flowers
emphasize isolation and miscommunication. People pass each other physically
close but remain mentally and emotionally distant.
Uzbek Literature. Abdulla Qahhor’s Odamlar orasida:
Despite being surrounded by people, the main character feels isolated.
Symbols like the empty teahouse, endless road, and silent evenings reflect
emotional and social abandonment. The desert environment stands in for the
psychological emptiness.
Said Ahmad’s works:
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
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Frequently depict older or marginalized characters forgotten by their
families or society. The use of decaying homes, broken fences, and quiet village
streets evoke emotional desolation. These symbols often relate to collective
nostalgia and lost values.
Discussion
The differences in literary style reveal broader philosophical and aesthetic
tendencies:
Feature English Literature Uzbek Literature
Narrative Style Modernist, introspective, fragmented Realist, social, direct
Symbols Subtle, metaphorical (fur coat, flowers) Tangible, environmental
(desert, house)
Source of Loneliness Inner conflict, modern alienation Social isolation,
erosion of tradition
Cultural Background Post-WWI disillusionment Post-Soviet collectivization,
rural life
While English authors often explore existential isolation, Uzbek writers
highlight communal disintegration. However, both converge on the idea that
symbols externalize emotional truths. The symbol becomes a bridge between
the reader and the character’s unspoken pain.
Conclusion
The use of symbolism and imagery in portraying loneliness in both Uzbek
and English short stories reveals how deeply literature is intertwined with
cultural, historical, and psychological factors. Despite differences in approach
and technique, both literatures use symbolic elements to give readers a
profound understanding of the universal experience of loneliness. The
comparative study underlines the power of literature to convey emotional truths
across different times and societies.
References:
1. Mansfield, Katherine. The Garden Party and Other Stories. Penguin Classics,
2007.
2. Woolf, Virginia. Kew Gardens. Hogarth Press, 1919.
3. Abdulla Qahhor. Odamlar orasida. Toshkent: Gʻafur Gʻulom nomidagi Adabiyot
va San'at nashriyoti, 1960.
4. Said Ahmad. Ufq. Toshkent: Yozuvchi nashriyoti, 1977.
5. Lodge, David. The Modes of Modern Writing: Metaphor, Metonymy, and the
Typology of Modern Literature. Edward Arnold, 1977.
6. Karimov, Murod. O‘zbek hikoyalarida ramziy ifoda. Toshkent: Fan nashriyoti,
2003.
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
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7. Sanders, Andrew. The Short Oxford History of English Literature. Oxford
University Press, 2004.
8. Nazarov, Komil. XX asr o‘zbek hikoyalarining badiiy xususiyatlari. Toshkent:
Universitet nashriyoti, 2011.
9.Mijuskovic, B. (2012). Loneliness in Philosophy, Psychology, and Literature
10. Mustaev, K. T. (2021). A New Uzbek Epic Novel “The Glory of Loneliness” –
Ethnic Drama of Personality in a Modernity.
