Lexical Patterns and Stylistic Foregrounding in Kureishi's Umbrella (2012) and The Decline of the West (2020)

Abstract

This paper explores the lexical patterns and stylistic foregrounding in Hanif Kureishi's Umbrella (2012) and The Decline of the West (2020) through Viktor Shklovsky's theory of defamiliarization. Drawing special attention to linguistic innovations of fragmentation of syntax, lexical repetition, metaphorical imagery, and phonological pattern, the paper shows how changing the traditional way of telling Kureishi's narrative methods manages to foreground themes of personal and social decline, mental health, and cultural disillusionment. The findings prove that recurring fragmentation and disorientation motifs in Umbrella (2012) reflect the psychological struggles of characters, while symbolic language and philosophical reflections in The Decline of the Wes (2020) critique cultural decay and existential despair. This study will fill a critical gap in Kureishi studies by underlining the linguistic architecture of his later works, which have been understudied compared to thematic and cultural critiques. The research emphasises the importance of lexical and stylistic analysis in revealing hidden layers of meaning and shows how Kureishi uses defamiliarization to engage readers emotionally and intellectually. The study contributes to literary stylistics, understanding the interplay of language, identity, and societal concerns in contemporary literature. It also presents the pedagogical values of Kureishi's works, which are important for educators and students dealing with complex themes of modernity, mental health, and cultural transformation.