SYMBOLISM, CULTURAL SYNTHESIS, AND NARRATIVE STYLE IN THE NOVELS OF WILLIAM GOLDING AND KAZUO ISHIGURO

Abstract

This article presents an in-depth comparative analysis of symbolism, cultural synthesis, and narrative style in the novels of William Golding and Kazuo Ishiguro, two prominent figures in modern British literature. Despite their shared literary context, the authors differ significantly in philosophical outlook, cultural orientation, and artistic strategy. The study examines how symbolic imagery operates as a structural and semantic core in their narratives, how Ishiguro synthesizes Japanese and English cultural traditions, and how Golding’s allegorical mode contrasts with Ishiguro’s restrained psychological realism. Using comparative, structural, and hermeneutic methodologies, the article demonstrates that Golding’s symbolism is predominantly ethical and mythological, whereas Ishiguro’s symbolism is introspective and memory-oriented. The findings underscore the role of cross-cultural discourse in shaping contemporary British fiction and contribute to broader debates in comparative and transnational literary studies.