INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 04,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 578
EXPRESSION OF SENTIMENTALISM IN THE WORKS OF OLMAS UMARBEKOV
Aliqulova Dildora Bakir kizi
PhD in Philological Sciences
Acting Associate Professor, Turon University
To‘layeva Oydin Bokhodir kizi
Student, Turon University
Annotation:
This article analyzes the elements of sentimentalism in the works of the Uzbek
writer Olmas Umarbekov. Based on the novella “Sevgim – sevgilim” (“My Love – My
Beloved”), it explores the artistic portrayal of human emotions, love, conscience, honor, and
inner experiences. The study highlights the distinctive features of how emotions are represented
in Uzbek prose through the author’s characters. Umarbekov's use of nature imagery and
psychological analysis aligns with the aesthetic principles of sentimentalism. The research also
references literary critics’ opinions to present a thorough analysis of Umarbekov’s artistic
approach.
Keywords:
Sentimentalism, emotions, inner experience, Uzbek prose, love, conscience,
nature.
Introduction
Literature is a reflection of the human soul, inner emotions, and social consciousness.
Each literary movement is notable for its unique aesthetic principles and stylistic approaches.
One such movement is sentimentalism, which emerged in the West in the 18th century and
focused on promoting values such as humanity, compassion, love, closeness to nature, and
spiritual purity. In sentimentalist literature, emotions play a central role, and the inner
experiences and emotional states of characters are at the heart of the narrative.
In contemporary literary studies, an in-depth analysis of the emotional and aesthetic
aspects of Uzbek prose—particularly the depiction of human emotions—has become one of the
most pressing issues. From this perspective, studying the works of People’s Writer of
Uzbekistan, O‘lmas Umarbekov, through the lens of sentimentalist principles helps to highlight
his artistic mastery and contributes to a deeper understanding of the emotional-aesthetic
direction in Uzbek literature.
In O‘lmas Umarbekov’s short stories and novellas—particularly in works such as “My
Love – My Beloved”, “Child of War”, “Letters to My Daughter”, and “It’s Hard to Be
Human”—concepts like the human psyche, love, purity, conscience, and honesty are revealed
through artistic expression. Rather than focusing on major dramatic events, the author often
conveys deep human emotions through seemingly small yet profoundly meaningful incidents.
This approach is one of the defining characteristics of sentimentalism.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 04,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 579
As a skilled writer of novellas, O‘lmas Umarbekov is well known to readers. His dozens
of novellas cover a wide range of themes, including contemporary life, history, romance-
adventure, and war. On this subject, academician Sobir Mirvaliyev emphasizes:"O‘lmas
Umarbekov, as a writer of novellas, belongs to the ranks of those who have made a significant
contribution to the development of Uzbek literature. Nearly ten of his novellas hold an
important place in the literary process, and many of them have been highly praised by literary
critics. Among them, “My Love – My Beloved”, “Jora Village”, “Desert of Iraq”, “Who Has
No Worries”, “Child of War”, “Summer Rain”, and the recent essay “Letters to My Daughter”
are still being read with great affection. Despite being one of his earliest works in this genre, the
novella “My Love – My Beloved” sparked widespread discussion in the literary community of
the 1960s. The reason was the presentation of a unique and previously unexplored issue within
the story."(1:19)
In agreement with academician Sobir Mirvaliyev’s views, it can be said that O‘lmas
Umarbekov is not only a master of short stories but also a writer who has made a significant
contribution to the development of Uzbek prose through his novellas. In particular, his novella
“My Love – My Beloved” is rightfully recognized as one of the earliest sentimental
experiments in our literature. The central issue raised in this work—the clash between human
emotions and societal pressure, along with internal conflicts—was a novel and innovative
approach for its time.
The protagonists in Umarbekov’s works are ordinary people who dream, love, and
struggle—yet they never lose their sense of self. Through this simplicity, Umarbekov
masterfully touches the delicate strings of the human soul. The emotional depth conveyed
through the characters of O‘ktam and Oypopuk, in particular, leaves a lasting impression on the
reader. His novellas are valuable not only for their plot development but also for their internal
drama, psychological insight, and poetic imagery. The wide-ranging discussions sparked by
“My Love – My Beloved” reflect a growing literary tendency to explore human emotions more
deeply, marking the rise of a new direction in literature. “My Love – My Beloved” is one of the
most striking examples in this regard. Through the main character O‘ktam’s inner experiences
and his pure love for Oypopuk, the story speaks directly to the reader’s heart. O‘ktam’s
emotional turmoil, his sensitivity to nature, and the inner transformations brought about by love
are portrayed with great depth and nuance.
The character of Oypopuk in the novella is portrayed as a sincere, compassionate
woman in need of love and warmth. Although she cannot openly express her feelings, her
silence and actions subtly reveal her emotions. The story poetically conveys themes such as
love, devotion, loyalty, and patience, elevating them through artistic expression.
Literary scholars such as Gulchehra Abdullayeva, Umida Rasulova, and Sobir
Mirvaliyev have also praised the emotional and aesthetic layers in Umarbekov’s works,
highlighting his remarkable skill in conveying emotions through characters. According to them,
the author’s creative approach has greatly enriched Uzbek prose.
Through the characters of O‘ktam and Oypopuk, O‘lmas Umarbekov deeply explores
the subtle aspects of the human soul and reveals how emotions manifest in different life
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 04,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 580
situations. These characters allow readers to confront emotional experiences that are genuinely
encountered in real life, making the narrative all the more relatable and impactful.
Through O‘lmas Umarbekov’s novella “My Love – My Beloved”, sentimentalism is
presented in its most natural and compelling form. The characters’ emotions, inner
transformations, and the lessons of love invite the reader to deep contemplation. Umarbekov is
a masterful writer who has created emotionally rich and artistically refined works. His
exceptional ability to express feelings through characters holds a significant place in the
development of Uzbek prose.
Sentimentalism is a literary movement that seeks to explore the inner world of the
human soul through deep emotional expression and artistic imagery. It is not only an aesthetic
approach but also a philosophical method of understanding human nature, emphasizing feelings
and moral sensitivity as central values in life and literature. Through sentimentalism, literature
unveils the emotional landscape of individuals, revealing their joys and sorrows, love and loss,
and their pursuit of spiritual meaning.
Sentimental works may not always be rich in external events, but they are powerful in
conveying the emotional experiences that resonate with the reader’s own feelings. This reflects
how literature prioritizes human sensitivity, moral depth, and the authenticity of emotion. In
particular, the harmony between the natural world and the human inner self—frequently
emphasized in sentimental literature—helps to establish a deeper connection between the
individual and the universe.
In Western literature, Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werther, and in Eastern and
Uzbek literature, O‘lmas Umarbekov’s My Love – My Beloved are vivid examples of
sentimentalism. These works portray the timeless value of love, loyalty, longing, and the unity
of man and nature. They deeply affect the reader’s heart and encourage them to re-evaluate
their own emotions and experiences. Even in modern literature, elements of sentimentalism
have not lost their significance. On the contrary, in an age of rapid technological advancement
and artificial lifestyles, people increasingly seek purity, genuine emotions, and inner peace—
often found in works influenced by sentimentalism. Thus, sentimentalism is not merely a
historical literary trend but an enduring need of human nature that remains relevant today.
Therefore, studying sentimentalism and analyzing its presence in Uzbek literature—as
well as exploring the works of our authors who emphasize the sanctity of emotions—continues
to be an essential task for contemporary literary criticism and theory.
REFERENCES:
1. Mirvaliev S. Olmas Umarbekov: From “My Love – My Beloved” to “Letters to My
Daughter.” – Tashkent: Sharq, 2004.
2. Rasulova U. 20th Century Uzbek Novella Writing (Poetic Research and Development
Trends). – Tashkent: Qamar Media, 2020.
3. Umarbekov O. My Love – My Beloved. // Best Love Novellas. – Tashkent: Yangi Asr
Avlodi, 2020.
4. Niyazova M. Depiction of Human Emotions in Literature. – Tashkent: Ma’naviyat, 2018.
5. Sottiboyeva N. “Spiritual Turmoil of the Hero” // Sharq Yulduzi journal, 2016, Issue 5.
