Symbolic representation in Mohsin Hamid’s novel “Exit West”

This article contains the results of the analysis of linguistic units serving as explicit and implicit symbolic means. The relevance of this study is due to the role of modern literature in influencing the consciousness of educated segments of society. The English-language works by Pakistani authors reveal themes and address issues significant to modern Pakistani society. The linguistic means used in art works act as symbols, conveying a wide range of meanings. The purpose of the study is to conduct a critical analysis of symbolism in “Exit West” novel by Mohsin Hamid. The authors of the paper turn to the lexical means used as symbols in the novel and explore their significance for modernist literature, as well as analyze the author’s intentions reflected in the symbols used. The study examined the sources on modern Pakistani English-language literature and symbolism. The research used the methods of textual analysis, discourse analysis, as well as the method of linguistic and cognitive analysis. The authors analyze the lexical means used as symbols as well as their relationship with broader social, cultural and philosophical contexts. As a result of the conducted research, the authors come to the conclusion that the symbolism in the novel is implicit and explicit in nature and the lexical means-symbols used in the novel represent the problems of Pakistani society. This study highlights the need to identify complex semantic layers and their importance for Pakistani English-language literature.