“ARTISTIC INTERPRETATION OF UZBEKISTAN NATIONAL VALUES AND CHARACTER” IN THE MOVIE “SUV YOQALAB”, “IMAGE CREATION SKILL”
Kokand State University
Faculty of Uzbek and Russian Philology
Scientific supervisor: Ergasheva Sugdiyona
Student: Nomozaliyeva Hilolaxon
Abstract. This article examines the artistic interpretation of the Uzbek national character in the short story “Suv yoqalab” by the people’s writer of Uzbekistan, Erkin A’zam. The work analyzes how the national character is manifested psychologically, socially, and culturally, and how the characteristics of the national mentality are reflected through the main characters. Text analysis, comparison, and synthetic approaches are used in the research process. Also, as a result of the research, the writer effectively highlights the main features of the Uzbek national character: hard work, valuing family and generation, harmony with nature, and spiritual wealth, using the possibilities of the short story genre.
Keywords: artistic analysis of the short story “Suv yoqalab,” national values and mentality, national character, characteristics of characters, short story genre, psychological method.
Introduction
There are many unique works in world literature, but each work is distinguished from the other by its ideas, characters, author’s position, and style. Of course, the era in which the author lived, the place where he grew up, and the social environment have a great influence on this. Undoubtedly, the work clearly shows which nationality the author represents. Representatives of any nationality in the world differ sharply from each other in that they have their own national and universal values. The film “Suv yoqalab” by Erkin A’zam vividly depicts the traditional values and national character of the Uzbek nation, and we will try to shed light on them through this article.
National values are a concept that reflects the unique qualities of each nation, and they represent the contribution and place of that nation in its cultural heritage, which has been formed in the process of its development. As long as a nation exists, its national values also apply. National values are formed and improved together with the nation. National values are based on the national idea. Therefore, if a state wants to subjugate other nations, it foremost tries to deprive them of their national values. This includes the historical, cultural, religious, and spiritual heritage of the people.
In today’s era of globalization, preserving the national idea, the ideology of independence and our spiritual values, instilling them in the minds of the younger generation are becoming one of the urgent tasks. The principles put forward by our President are also starting a new stage in this direction. “If the body of society is the economy, then its soul and spirit are spirituality. Since we have decided to build a new Uzbekistan, we will rely on two strong pillars. The first is a strong economy based on market principles. The second is a strong spirituality based on the rich heritage of our ancestors and national values,” says the head of our state. Although I. Ergashev, B. Abdullayev, M. Kakharov, D. Rakhimova, Kh. Khidirov have conducted their research in this regard, the existing studies have not sufficiently analyzed the reflection of national values in our works and the main features of the Uzbek national character. Therefore, this article is aimed at highlighting these aspects, at the manifestation of national values in the work of our writers. This analysis is based on Erkin A’zam’s short story “Suv yokalab”, which won the “Serebryanniy Vityaz” award at the “Zolotoy Vityaz” international film forum (Moscow).
Literature analysis and methodology:
We used the Izoh.uz website in the article. Because this dictionary served as the main theoretical source in defining the conceptual foundations of terms such as national values, spirituality, moral principles, and national character in the article. In particular, this source was the basis for providing an understanding of the spiritual roots of the concept of “national value” and how they are formed in the public consciousness. In addition, while writing our article, we also reviewed the collection of articles “The Importance of National Values and Spiritual Heritage in the Development of Society”. This collection discusses the importance of national values and spiritual heritage in the development of society, the history of national values, the socio-political views of our thinkers, modern propaganda technologies in promoting national values and spiritual heritage, issues of covering national values in the media, and the problems of propaganda methodology. Erkin A’zam’s story “Suv Yoqalab” is the main object of artistic analysis of our article. Plot analysis, image system, character coverage, symbols, and expression of national values are written directly based on this film story.
The work was carried out using the method of text analysis, the components of the work: plot, image system were deeply analyzed. Each element of the text was considered from the point of view of the aspects in which the national character is manifested. The historical literary method was used, that is, the work was analyzed in the context of the period in which it was created, taking into account the stages of development of Uzbek literature, and, most importantly, the method of psychological analysis was used to illuminate the spiritual world of the heroes, their character traits, and their connection with the national mentality. Also, the intercultural method was used to show the national customs and traditions reflected in the work.
Analysis and result
The term “film story” began to appear in our literature from the second half of the 20th century. Writers such as Sharof Rashidov, Jamol Kamol and Usmon Azim published some of their works under this name. In particular, as a result of the creative efforts of Erkin A’zam, works of this type began to form as a separate genre and showed their own unique characteristics.
It is natural that in the literary process, signs characteristic of a certain type or genre are also found in other genres. However, when the theoretical foundations of a particular genre take precedence, these criteria determine its poetic essence. This situation is also clearly visible in the example of film stories in Erkin A’zam’s work. Although film stories meet the requirements of the prose genre in terms of their external structure, their internal pathos and artistic direction are combined with the characteristics characteristic of the dramatic genre.
In particular, in the film story “Suv yoqalab”, dramatism is manifested as the main aesthetic principle. In this work, the development of the plot, the character of the characters, and the dynamics of events are built in accordance with the criteria of spectacle. This aspect, in turn, ensures the proximity of the film story to the dramatic genre. As is known, spectacle is considered the main aesthetic requirement of the dramatic genre. Therefore, this feature is increasingly becoming legitimate in the poetic structure of the film story.
In addition, the fact that Erkin A’zam’s short stories pay special attention to the most important dramatic climaxes of events, and the concise presentation of irony and psychological analysis shows the uniqueness of his literary style. Moreover, by reflecting them in the midst of life’s trials, the writer’s artistic concept is further deepened. Thus, it shows that Erkin A’zam’s short stories are not only forming as an independent genre, but also that they are an effective example of inter-genre synthesis.
The analyzed short story “Suv yoqalab” is a work skillfully created by the author in revealing the artistic expression of national values. The short story compositionally corresponds to the Uzbek national storytelling style. The plot of the work is formed on the basis of events occurring around the main character. This developing plot reveals various aspects of the national way of life. For example, the nature of the main character reflects the traditional approach of the Uzbek people to the natural environment. Through the images in the work, national values such as family, the institution of the family and its role in society, respect for elders, support for youth, love for the Motherland, teamwork, loyalty, honor, honesty, and justice are shown. That is, we can see that the main character of the work, Bolta Mardon, intervenes when the wives of Hasan-Husan are fighting for water, stops the fighting, and makes a fair judgment, that he does not give water to a fellow villager who once robbed the state warehouse, that he is generous to his fellow villagers, that he whips his son who has chosen a dirty path to correct him, and that he lies for the peace of a family. While describing the events of the work, we can say that Erkin A’zam used new artistic conventions with great skill through Bolta Mardon’s stubborn, stubborn, intolerant, and just character. Another skill of our creator is in choosing suitable names for each of the heroes of the work. For example, if we pay attention to the name of the main character – Bolta Mardon, we see that this name was not chosen by chance. “Axe” is a sharp, cutting, powerful weapon, and the character of the character is also in harmony with this tool. Giving him the name “Axe” refers to his character, behavior, firmness in speech, and his place in society. Every word that comes out of Bolta Mardon’s mouth is like an ax – clear, sharp, and impressive. What he says “reaches the target without fail,” that is, he boldly and fearlessly expresses his opinion and is able to subordinate those around him to it. So, through the name “Axe Mardon,” the author reveals the spiritual world and social position of the hero using artistic means. In Erkin A’zam’s short stories, the plot is usually built in chronological or concentric forms. In a chronological plot, events develop in chronological order, while in a concentric plot, events develop around a center. Exposition plays an important role in the author’s works.
Through it, the characters, their environment, character and time are introduced, and the viewer or reader is immersed in the events of the work. Exposition can be in various forms – direct, reverse, mixed or delayed. This provides different ways of entering the plot. Erkin A’zam mainly uses direct and mixed expositions in his works. Through these methods, he gradually introduces the reader to the development and atmosphere of events.
The work in our analysis begins with the words “A spacious courtyard. A tall igloo in the middle of the three-sided building. Beyond the igloo is a dense, wooded garden.” At first glance, it is an exposition that begins like a typical work, but we can see symbolic meanings in it. For example, in the sentence “A three-sided building,” our writer describes a large family consisting of three small households and united by a “tall igloo.” The head of that family is Bolta Mardon. When we imagine the image of Bolta Mardon, our solid, heavy, and respected fathers or grandfathers come to mind. His stature, the way he wears a skullcap, and the way he walks with his belt tightly tied — all of these are vivid expressions of our national traditions and values. Although Bolta Mardon has left his post as chairman, his concern for the people’s suffering and his willingness to put the interests of the people above his own interests still make him a respected person among the people. These qualities, in turn, directly stem from our national upbringing, ancient traditions, and values such as humanity, solidarity, and kindness inherited from our ancestors. In the work, Bolta Mardon is depicted not only as a just leader, but also as a loving father, a patriot, and an honorable person. In his image, we see true examples of national character – patience, patriotism, honesty, and loyalty to the people. His daughter, Zulfiya, who was raised by him, also grew up with national values such as thoughtfulness, modesty, patience, and loyalty to her parents, characteristic of an Uzbek woman. She puts respect for her parents and loyalty to her family in the first place. Writing about her, the author expresses the purity and innocence inherent in the nature of an Uzbek woman in one sentence: “Zulfiya’s house. A small courtyard. A lot of greenery, a lot of greenery.”
Indeed, the writer’s works mainly illuminate the lives of ordinary people in a rural environment. They have a unique image and skillfully reveal complex but sincere feelings. The writer places special emphasis on highlighting not only everyday events, but also the inner experiences, hopes, and spiritual conflicts of the characters. For example, Bolta Mardon’s three sons seem to depict his youth. The eldest son represents his youthful energy, pride, and arrogance, the middle son represents his unfulfilled dreams and unachieved goals, and the youngest son represents his unrealized dreams and aspirations in life. “Does a father mean a prophet? I tell you not to be as vain as I am… If you marry, find a woman who will never disappoint you. Your mother is a very good woman, she has never done anything wrong to me. Moreover, she gave birth to brave sons like you. But it’s hard when your heart is not full…”, he says, advising his youngest son.
In Erkin A’zam’s work, the ideas expressed in the vernacular, the brilliance of artistic observation and means of depiction distinguish him from others.
In this work, one of the qualities inherent in humanity – to do good to people, that is, the concept of goodness, plays an important role. In the development of events, the fight against any oppression and evil is carried out not with weapons, but with the illuminating spiritual light – goodness. The images depicted in the work, especially the image of Hamro Baba, strengthen the artistic and philosophical basis of this idea. Although Hamro Baba is blind, his faith in life, humanity and the power of goodness is impressively illuminated. The wisdom that is said in his language, “He who brings water, the path of the one who sees water becomes clear,” puts forward the idea that a person who does good will definitely reach the “illuminated path.”
In conclusion, national values, national character and national spirit are among the main factors determining the content of literary and artistic works. It is through literature that writers fulfill the “mission” of transmitting the historical heritage, traditions, religious beliefs and moral principles of the people from generation to generation. Such works play an important role in the spiritual formation of the modern reader, as well as in the process of self-awareness.
In the work of Erkin A’zam, the national spirit, national character and traditional thinking have found a deep artistic expression. The heroes in his works reflect the mentality of the Uzbek people with their natural stature, complex mental state, inner experiences and relationship to the environment. Through a variety of images, the author creates life events familiar to every reader. This makes the literary work even closer to the reader. In particular, the reflection of rural life, folk thinking, kindness, patience, respect and family life are expressed in the works in a realistic and convincing way. By comparing yesterday and today, the writer analyzes the changes in the human spiritual world, how personal experiences are manifested against the background of changes in society. As a result, the literary work is not only an artistic phenomenon that gives aesthetic pleasure, but also a means of preserving and developing national identity.
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