EXPRESSION OF RELIGIOUS VALUES IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK LITERARY DISCOURSE

Religion has always been a fundamental source of moral and cultural development in human history, and literature has played a crucial role in reflecting and transmitting these values across generations. This paper explores the expression of religious values in English and Uzbek literary discourse, focusing on the comparative analysis of selected works. In English literature, writers such as John Milton and William Blake highlight Christian values through themes of sin, salvation, divine justice, and individual responsibility. In contrast, Uzbek literature, rooted in Islamic and Sufi traditions, emphasizes collective harmony, justice, compassion, and devotion to God, as exemplified in the works of Alisher Navoi and later authors. The comparative analysis shows that while English literature is shaped by Christian theology and often presents religion in an individualistic framework, Uzbek literature reflects Islamic ideals in a communal and spiritual context. Despite cultural differences, both traditions share universal values such as justice, love, the struggle between good and evil, and the pursuit of spiritual truth. The findings demonstrate that religious discourse in literature serves as a bridge between cultures, fostering intercultural dialogue and promoting shared humanistic ideals. (Milton, 1667/2006) (Blake, n.d.; Davis, 2016) (Alisher Nava'i, n.d.; Ulug’ov, 2025)