Yesterday Is Already Past
Is Fame Superior to Human Dignity?
In societies where public reputation and social prestige are prioritized over the future of young women, endurance becomes not a choice but a destiny imposed upon them. In his short story “Yesterday Is Already Past,” Shukur Kholmirzaev presents the character of Sobirova as a woman trapped in ideological nostalgia, whose unwavering concern for social recognition prevents her from confronting present realities. It would not be an exaggeration to argue that her moral vision is clouded by ambition. By surrendering her daughter’s life to social judgment, she allows collective opinion to dictate a deeply personal fate. Her persistent attachment to outdated political ideals—most notably her obsession with Communist Party membership—along with her indulgence in hollow aspirations, gradually leads her into profound psychological and ethical torment.
Had Sobirova been capable of interpreting Unsinova’s post-dismissal visits with greater awareness, she might have recognized the validity of her son Kamol’s warnings. Unrestrained ambition, as the narrative suggests, inevitably draws individuals into the quagmire of remorse. However, the story transcends the personal tragedy of a single mother and daughter. At its core, it offers a critical examination of society’s treatment of women. What is destroyed is not merely a young woman’s emotional state, but the totality of her existence. Her happiness is subordinated to social gossip and moral surveillance, leaving her deprived of agency, autonomy, and the right to choose her own life path.
Through this narrative, Kholmirzaev exposes how the relentless pursuit of fame, status, and ideological legitimacy gradually erodes fundamental human values and dignity. Parents may reassure themselves that their actions are justified, yet the pain suppressed within, the tears shed in isolation, and the silence stretched across a lifetime remain unarticulated. This silence, the author suggests, constitutes the most devastating form of tragedy.
Most importantly, the relevance of this narrative is not confined to the past. Similar patterns of control, judgment, and sacrifice persist in contemporary societies. Therefore, “Yesterday Is Already Past” should be read not merely as a historical reflection, but as a timeless social critique that continues to resonate today.
In conclusion, fame and social recognition—however fiercely contested—must never be elevated above human dignity. When societies sacrifice the futures of young women in the name of reputation, the moral failures of the past are inevitably reproduced in the present. Human worth, personal freedom, and emotional integrity are far more valuable than any form of social prestige.
Xasanova Aziza Kumushbek qizi. Born on October 1, 2004, in Chirchik, Tashkent Region. Currently a student at Tashkent University of Economics and Pedagogy. On March 1, 2025, she received the title of “Faculty Zulfiya” in a competition held by the university. She has published several scientific articles. Her poems and stories have been published in many newspapers, magazines, and websites around the world. Her poems, stories, and works are constantly published in countries such as Albania, Pakistan, Italy, America, Great Britain, Germany, India, Argentina, Turkey, Arabia and Uzbekistan, Kenya, Africa, Korea.