A Study Of Cultural Symbiosis In V.S. Naipaul's Works

Naipaul, the winner of 2001 Nobel Prize of Literature, is known as"the Father of Caribbean literature". He is also one of the most creative writers, as well as a controversial figure in the 21st century. Born in Trinidad to an Indian family, he was educated in Britain. His multicultural view is remarkable and his preference for cultural symbiosis is particularly strong in his writings. In his works his efforts to integrate the Western culture and the Third World cultures are obvious.This thesis uses the theories of marginality and symbiosis to approach Naipaul as a great writer with intense multicultural awareness. First of all, the thesis studies Naipaul's multi-cultural backgrounds which helped him develop the sense of Trinidanian culture, Indian culture and British culture. Secondly, the thesis discusses the multicultural elements in Naipaul's works such as The Miguel Street, an Area of Darkness, India: a Wounded Civilization, In a Free State, The Enigma of Arrival, Magic Seed, Literary Occasion and his speech Universal Civilization, in which we observe the Trinidadian Culture, Indian Culture and African Culture. Thirdly, the thesis discusses Naipaul's attitude towards the Western culture with the emphasis on his criticism and his partial identification with the Western culture. Finally, the thesis explores his efforts to integrate the Western culture and the Third World Culture with the focus on the symbiosis of Indian culture, Trinidadian culture and British culture.The thesis holds that Naipaul is concerned about the Third World cultures and also likes the Western culture. Of the Western culture, he keeps being critical and at the same time he tries to identify with it. In his efforts to put cultural symbiosis in his works, Naipaul attempts to develop an intercultural perspective and to settle disputes among different races and different nations so that the universal civilization and the world of peace and harmony can be ensured.