Foregrounding Techniques in Hanif Kureishi’s Goodbye Mother: A Lexical and Stylistic Analysis

Abstract

This paper examines the use of lexical and stylistic foregrounding in Hanif Kureishi's short story Goodbye Mother. The present study is based on stylistic theories and reflects on how such linguistic features as lexical repetition, syntactic deviation, and figurative language create a deeper registered emotional power and cultural overtones within the narrative. This paper discusses how Kureishi employs complex and simple nouns to describe specific themes such as identity and generational conflict, while dynamic and mental process verbs focus on the inner struggle and emotional instability that the characters go through in their experiences. On the other hand, adjectives and adverbs contribute to the emotional depth of the narration. Syntactic structures and deviations, such as ellipses and interrupted syntax, mirror the fragmented psychic states of these characters, adding layers of emotional realism to the narrative. Figurative language, through metaphors, similes, and personification, opens figurative depth, underlining themes of cultural hybridity, familial bonds, and memory. By placing Kureishi's work in the larger context of postcolonial literature and British Asian narrative, this study addresses a critical gap in study, highlighting the need for stylistic analysis of short fiction. The results of the present research point to the role of foregrounding techniques in cultural critique and emotional engagement and, as such, constitute valuable contributions toward the understanding of Kureishi's literary artistry and the greater discourse on postcolonial identity and hybridity.