International Journal Of Literature And Languages
69
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ijll
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue05 2025
PAGE NO.
69-70
10.37547/ijll/Volume05Issue05-19
The Use of Landscape Description in
Abdulla Qodiriy’s
Novel “By Gone Days”
Suyunova Zarina Muzaffar qizi
D.P.P.S (PhD), Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature, Uzbekistan
Received:
23 March 2025;
Accepted:
19 April 2025;
Published:
21 May 2025
Abstract:
This article examines the artistic function and role of landscape descriptions in Abdulla Kodiriy’s novel
Bygone Days, one of the first examples of Uzbek national prose. Through an analysis of natural imagery and
environmental descriptions, the study reveals how the author uses landscape as a narrative device to reflect
characters' emotions, national identity, and historical context. The research highlights the significance of
landscape imagery in shaping the aesthetic structure and ideological content of the novel.
Keywords:
Abdulla Kodiriy, Bygone Days, landscape description, literary analysis, national prose, artistic imagery.
Introduction:
The rise of modern Uzbek prose in the
early 20th century is inseparable from the name of
Abdulla Qodiriy. His novel Bygone Days not only laid the
foundation of Uzbek realist literature but also
demonstrated a masterful use of artistic imagery.
Among these, the description of landscape plays an
essential role, both as a background element and as a
means of deepening character psychology and
narrative atmosphere. This study aims to analyze the
specific functions of landscape description within the
novel and to demonstrate its significance in reflecting
the national spirit and the socio-political circumstances
of the period. In O‘tkan kunlar (Days Gone By),
Abdulla Qodiriy masterfully employs landscape
descriptions not only as a setting but also as a medium
to express his social, moral, and philosophical
viewpoints. The natural environment in the novel
frequently mirrors the psychological states of the
characters and serves as a commentary on the socio-
political conditions of 19th-century Turkestan. This
technique aligns with the traditions of classical Eastern
literature, where nature often functions symbolically,
yet Qodiriy adapts it to modern realist narrative
frameworks
METHOD
This study employs a qualitative literary analysis
method, focusing on the English translation of Abdulla
Qodiriy’s Bygone Days by Mark Reese. The analysis
centers on identifying and interpreting instances of
landscape descriptions within the novel, examining
how these depictions contribute to character
development, thematic expression, and the socio-
political commentary embedded in the narrative. Close
reading, hermeneutic analysis, and contextual
interpretation methods are applied, while comparative
references to literary theories by M. Bakhtin, A.
Veselovskiy, and Uzbek literary critics are used to
substantiate interpretations.
RESULTS
The analysis of Bygone Days reveals that Qodiriy utilizes
landscape descriptions as integral narrative elements.
Key examples include:
1. In a scene where Otabek and Kumush meet randomly
near a ditch, the calm natural environment reflects
their feelings: "The water of a whispering stream, a
beautiful young man sitting next to a ditch, runs into
the House of a silvery seer and a pig, who came out of
the house by chance"
2. As Otabek travels through Tashkent’s outskirts, the
barren orchards and skeletal trees reflect socio-political
decay:
“The once
-thriving orchards now stood barren, their
branches skeletal against the grey sky, a silent
testament to the neglect and turmoil.”
3. Before Kumush’s death, storm imagery foreshadows
tragedy:
International Journal Of Literature And Languages
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International Journal Of Literature And Languages (ISSN: 2771-2834)
“Dark clouds gathered overhead, and a cold wind swept
through the streets, as if nature itself mourned the
sorrow that was to come.”
Th
ese vivid images align with Bakhtin’s concept of
chronotope, where time and space reflect emotional
and ideological dimensions in the narrative.
4. In the novel “Days Gone By” by Abdullah Qadiri, the
author’s inner experiences, feelings are described
through the landscape. Landscape is an image of nature
as well as a means of depicting the spirit of the hero.
Changes in the life of Otabek and Silver also affected
their mood and actions. Their depression is given by the
image of nature.
5. Qodiriy's depiction of spring landscapes often
symbolizes hope, renewal, and the yearning for a
better future, reflecting the author’s progressive ideas
regarding societal reform and enlightenment.
Conversely, desolate and barren scenes are typically
associated with moral decay, oppression, and the
stagnation
of
feudal
society.
Through
such
dichotomous imagery, Qodiriy implicitly critiques the
existing social order and advocates for change.
Scholars such as H. Boltaboev (1999) and Sh.
Sirojiddinov (2004) have noted that Qodi
riy’s use of
landscape functions as a psychological and ideological
device, subtly conveying the author's perspective on
the consequences of tyranny and ignorance. Moreover,
landscape descriptions in O‘tkan kunlar (Days Gone By)
often foreshadow key narrative events or underscore
the emotional experiences of characters, making the
natural world an active participant in the storytelling
process.
CONCLUSION
The study demonstrates that Abdulla Qodiriy’s Bygone
Days employs landscape imagery not merely as a
decorative feature but as a sophisticated narrative
instrument. Through symbolic and emotional uses of
natural imagery, Qodiriy crafts a literary environment
that deepens character portrayal and reflects broader
social realities. The research confirms that landscape
description in early Uzbek prose played a crucial role in
conveying national and emotional messages. Qodiriy’s
landscapes transcend mere aesthetic function; they
emdiv a rich semantic load, reflecting the author’s
views on national identity, social justice, and cultural
awakening within a decaying feudal context. This
layered use of nature imagery represents a significant
contribution to the development of modern Uzbek
prose and its capacity for socio-political commentary
through artistic means.
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