COMPARATIVE INTERPRETATION OF THE LIGHT AND DARKNESS IN THE WORKS OF WORLD LITERARY SCHOLARS

ILM FAN YANGILIKLARI KONFERENSIYASI OKTABR ANDIJON,2025 404 COMPARATIVE INTERPRETATION OF THE LIGHT AND DARKNESS IN THE WORKS OF WORLD LITERARY SCHOLARS Umarova Komila Samatovna English teacher of Alfraganus universitetiy Filology fakulty Language training center [email protected] Abstract: This article studies the specific role of the motifs of light and darkness in world literature, their archetypal and metaphysical significance, and their artistic function in a work of art from a scientific perspective. The interpretation of this motif is evaluated from the semiotic and philosophical point of view, the artistic depiction of light and darkness in Western and Eastern literary traditions. Keywords : Light, darkness, motif, archetype, dualism, opposition, artistic symbol, YORUG‘LIK VA ZULMAT MOTIVINING DUNYO ADABIYOTSHUNOSLARINING ASARLARIDA QIYOSLANGAN TALQINI Annotatsiya: Ushbu maqolada jahon adabiyotida yorug‘lik va zulmat motivlarining o‘ziga xos o‘rni va arxetipik va metafizik ahamiyati, badiiy asardagi badiiy funksiyasi ilmiy jihotdan tadqiq etiladi. Mazkur motiv tajliliga G‘arb va Sharq adabiy an’analarida yorug‘lik va zulmatning badiiy tasviri semiotik va falsafiy nuqtai nazardan baho beriladi. Kalit so‘zlar: Yorug‘lik, zulmat, motiv, arxetip, dualizm, qarama-qarshilik, badiiy ramz. ХУДОЖЕСТВЕННОЕ ВОПЛОЩЕНИЕ МОТИВА СВЕТА И ТЪМЫ В МИРОВОЙ ЛИТЕРАТУРЕ Аннотация: В статье исследуется специфическая роль мотивов света и тьмы в мировой литературе, их архетипическое и метафизическое значение, а также их художественная функция в произведении искусства с научной точки зрения. Оценивается интерпретация этого мотива с семиотической и философской точки зрения, художественное изображение света и тьмы в западных и восточных литературных традициях. Ключевые слова: Свет, тьма, мотив, архетип, дуализм, оппозиция, художественный символ. Introduction World literary studies motive concept theoretical basics mythology, structuralism , psychoanalysis such as in circles wide studied .  The word motif comes from the Latin word “motus” – “to move” [1], the French word “motif” – melody, tone [2], the English word “motive” – a motivating factor,[3] meaning to encourage. It is a recurring plot, image, action or situation in a literary work. Motif is one of the most important poetic elements in literary studies, which can be formed on the basis of real events or mythological models. Motif is the main dynamic element in the poetic structure of a work of art, inextricably linked with factors such as plot, image and theme. This concept was first formed as a scientific term within folklore and mythology. There are many types of motifs related to plot, situation and image. Among them, the motif of light and darkness stands out as not only an aesthetic, but also a ILM FAN YANGILIKLARI KONFERENSIYASI OKTABR ANDIJON,2025 405 semiotic tool that serves to express human spirituality and moral worldview. This dualistic motif has found artistic expression in the history of art, from ancient mythology to modern postmodern literature. Light is a symbol of enlightenment, goodness, divine light, guidance, while darkness is a symbol of ignorance, evil, destruction. The article analyzes how these motifs appear in literary texts, what meaning they convey, and what function they perform as archetypal symbols. Methodology . Comparative-historical, psychoanalytic, semiotic, intertextual analysis methods and philosophical approaches were used in writing this study. Examples of world and Uzbek literature were cited as sources for expressing theoretical views. Results . According to psychoanalyst Carl Gustav Jung's theory of archetypes, light and darkness are not just natural phenomena in real life, but archaic and universal structures of the human psyche [ 4] . Their opposition is not only important in our understanding of good and evil, but also in our individuation. (the spiritual development of a person towards inner wholeness) [5:] also plays a decisive role in the process. If light is a sign of consciousness, identity, reason and spiritual awakening, then darkness is a complex of aspects that a person does not recognize in himself, repressed, but possessing strong psychic energy, in connection with the “ shadow” archetype. According to Jung, the human personality is formed through the constant balance and struggle of these two forces. If one strives only for light, a person denies his “shadow” and thus loses spiritual balance. On the contrary, understanding darkness and bringing it to consciousness is the path to personal development, achieving inner wholeness. “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” ( One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.)[5]. It is clear that the motif of light and darkness does not only appear in opposition in the artistic world. It also occurs in the human psyche and thinking. In ancient religions and myths, light and The concepts of darkness represent not only real reality, but also an inseparable bipolar system of human thought, moral consciousness and the spiritual world. This dualistic view is deeply rooted in the history of mankind and underlies such fundamental ideological contradictions as good and evil, consciousness and unconsciousness, truth and falsehood, creation and destruction. The Zoroastrian religion, which was widespread in Central Asia and Iran in ancient times, is based on this dualistic worldview, which puts forward the eternal struggle between the god of goodness - Ahura Mazda and the god of evil - Ahriman as its main idea [6]. We know well that, Ahura Mazda is the source of light, life, and truth, while Ahriman is the symbol of darkness, lies, and destruction. This opposition has served as one of the main ideological motifs in later works of art. Discussion The role of the motif of light and darkness in world poetic and philosophical literature The roots of the light in the thinking of the ancients go back to ancient times. The opposition between these two symbols is formed in literary thought not only as an aesthetic tool, but also as a moral, religious and spiritual idea, turning into a kind of archetypal system. In this system, it can be observed that light is a symbol of divine truth, enlightenment, spiritual awakening, life, salvation, and darkness is a symbol of ignorance, sensual heedlessness, unconsciousness, destruction, spiritual decline. Although this motif has been enriched with special semantic layers in different times, places and cultural contexts in the literary traditions of the West and the East, its main symbols remain unchanged. For example, for European writers, light is a metaphorical expression of salvation and divine justice, and darkness is a metaphorical expression of rejection and inner darkness, while in Eastern literature - in particular, in the mystical worldview - light is the manifestation of God, romantic inspiration, the status of a guardian; Darkness is interpreted as a symbol of lust, darkness, exile, ignorance, and spiritual suffering. In this context, the motif of light and darkness is manifested in the literary text in three ways: ILM FAN YANGILIKLARI KONFERENSIYASI OKTABR ANDIJON,2025 406 1. The physical-biological level is light and darkness as phenomena perceived by human senses in the real environment. 2. Psychological-spiritual level - light is an inner awakening, an awareness of inner truth; darkness is a state of mind associated with inner conflict, depression, and denial. 3. The metaphysical-philosophical level is a complex of symbols that represent a system of perfect and absolute values, based on the consistent opposition of divinity and evil, existence and emptiness, positive and negative forces. The continuous renewal of the motif of light and darkness in literature shows that they are inextricably linked with philosophical issues such as existence, values, and human identity. As a symbolic image, these two opposing motifs reflect the moral, cultural, and spiritual image of each era. The opposition of Ahura Mazda and Ahriman in Zoroastrianism, the metaphors of light and darkness in religious texts demonstrate the ontological universality and archetypal continuity of this motif in fiction [ 7 ]. In this sense, the motif of light and darkness, as a sign of the spiritual thinking of humanity, lives in various genres of artistic thought: epic , lyric , drama , modern novel , and postmodernist literature . Its universality and repeated emergence in various contexts in a metaphorical or symbolic form once again confirm that fiction serves human perfection . Conclusion The motif of light and darkness is one of the oldest and most complex systems in world literature. It reflects the spiritual, moral and philosophical struggle of man in artistic form. If this motif is analyzed not only within the framework of the literary text, but also within the framework of archetypal theory, religious interpretations and philosophical thought, it allows for a deep understanding of the ontological and socio-cultural aspects of literature. References 1. D. Quronov / Z. Mamjonov , M. Sheraliyeva . (2013) Literary criticism Dictionary – Tashkent , Akademnashr , –180 p . 2. Hotamov N. , Sarimsakov B. (1979) Literary criticism of terms Russian - Uzbek  Dictionary . – Tashkent , Teacher . –190 p .  3. Abrams MH A Glossary of Literary Terms. https :// lib . zu . edu . pk / ebookdata / Language %20 Linguistics %20 and %20 Literature / -235 p . 4. Jung, C. G (1969) Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious .Princeton University Press, –113 p. 5. Jung C.G. AION: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self . Copyright © 1959 by Bollingen Foundation Inc., New York, NY Published by Princeton University Press Princeton, 6. Boyce, M. (1975). 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