THE USA JOURNALS
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY INNOVATIONS AND RESEARCH (ISSN- 2642-7478)
VOLUME 06 ISSUE12
58
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PUBLISHED DATE: - 30-12-2024
DOI: -
https://doi.org/10.37547/tajiir/Volume06Issue12-07
PAGE NO.: - 58-62
DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE AUTHOR AND
THE PROTAGONIST
IN ILDAR ABUZYAROV’S
"FINDING A VOICE"
Yuldasheva Nilufarhon Ubaydullayevna
Doctoral student at National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo
Ulugbek, Uzbekistan
INTRODUCTION
The literary process of late 20th
–
early 21st
century Russia is a multilayered and multifaceted
phenomenon, where writers seek to comprehend
new realities, re-evaluating former spiritual values
and social ideals. The work of Ildar Abuzyarov, one
of the prominent representatives of contemporary
Russian literature, has recently become the subject
of study by literary scholars and critics. In the
context of the multipolarity of the literary process
during this period, I. Abuzyarov's works draw
attention as an example of the complex interplay of
various writing techniques. This study presents an
analysis of contemporary academic research
dedicated to characterizing Abuzyarov's creativity,
aiming to identify the key features of his narrative
strategy.
The creative work of Ildar Abuzyarov, a writer
operating at the intersection of Russian and Tatar
cultures, can be divided into two significant
periods, which reflect the stages of his artistic
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Open Access
Abstract
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evolution.
The first period of Abuzyarov's work is
characterized by the use of magical realism, which
served as a key tool for exploring cultural,
philosophical, and existential questions. In a
personal conversation with the author of this
dissertation, Abuzyarov noted:
"For me, the first period, which also falls under
magical literature, though I no longer categorize it
as such, is traditionally associated with the Latin
American wave of magical literature. During this
initial phase of my life, I was learning to write by
drawing from Latin American authors, which I
called magical playful literature."
The second period, which began after a six-year
hiatus in his creative work, marks a transition to
autofiction:
"Now I am in my second period, which I call
autofiction,"
This shift reflects a profound internal
transforma
tion in Abuzyarov’s creative strategy
and a significant change in his aesthetic and
philosophical perspectives.
The prose of Ildar Abuzyarov up to the 2010s was
analyzed by V.R. Amineva in the article "Features
of the Subject Sphere in the Works of Russian and
Tatar Writers" and by M.I. Ibragimov in the essay
"National
Identity
of
Tatar
Literature:
Contemporary Research Methods."In the 2010s
–
2020s, the circle of researchers expanded. Dirk
Uffelmann explored Abuzyarov’s works in "Playing
Nomadism, or Postcoloniality as a Technique (The
Case of Ildar Abuzyarov)." Elements of poetics in
some of Abuzyarov’s works, analyzed in the
context of the contemporary literary process, were
examined by V.R. Amineva and A.N. Nabiullina in
"Nomination as a Method of Character
Identification in the Prose of I. Abuzyarov." Further
studies included "The 'Underground' Man in
Contemporary Russian-Language Prose (Based on
the Works of I. Abuzyarov)" by A.N. Nabiullina and
V.R. Amineva, as well as "Sacrifice and Self-
Sacrifice in the Prose of I. Abuzyarov:
Deconstruction of Mythological Plots" by V.R.
Amineva and A.N. Nabiullina, among others.
The analysis of Ildar Abuzyarov's short story
"Finding a Voice" provides a deeper understanding
of the key themes and motifs characteristic of this
author's work, as well as insights into the unique
features of his poetics. As a representative of
Russian-language
literature
in
Tatarstan,
Abuzyarov often explores issues of identity, inner
search, and spiritual transformation in his works.
These themes are also reflected in "Finding a
Voice," where the symbolism of the voice becomes
a central metaphor for understanding both
individual and cultural self-awareness.
In "Finding a Voice," the voice serves not only as a
means of communication but also as a symbol of
attaining inner strength and the right to self-
expression. The protagonist undergoes a complex
process of finding their own voice, which can be
interpreted as a symbolic journey toward
understanding their own identity and place in the
world:
"To exist in this world," she pondered, "one must at
least have a starting point, a piece of work that
would mark the beginning of their literary life. And
to stand firmly on one’s feet, one must have
support, a foundation, or rather, a model of the
land pieced together from hundreds of sheets filled
with 'powerful' poems and 'profound' stories, as
critics like to say."
The author uses this motif to convey the idea of
liberating individuals from external and internal
constraints, whether they be social, cultural, or
psychological. In Abuzyarov’s works, this process
of finding a voice is often intertwined with themes
of inner struggle and self-discovery, as seen in
other stories where characters face trials to
uncover their true selves.
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A central motif in the story is silence, which is
overcome through spiritual and personal
awakening. The protagonist spends much of the
narrative in a state of inner silence, symbolizing
their alienation from the world and themselves.
However, this silence is not static; it is
continuously refracted through the search for and
striving toward self-expression.
Abuzyarov demonstrates that the voice is not
merely a mechanical tool for speech but an
expression of a person’s true essence. In this
context, the story can be interpreted as a parable
about the necessity of overcoming inner muteness,
which symbolizes the loss of genuine connection
with oneself and the surrounding reality.
An important feature of Ildar Abuzyarov's prose is
its intertextuality. The short story "Finding a
Voice" contains references to literary traditions
where voice and silence serve as key symbols. For
example, the motif of silence can be interpreted in
the context of existentialist works by authors such
as Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre, for whom
silence signified a loss of connection with being
and the meaninglessness of existence. However, in
Abuzyarov's case, the voice becomes a symbol of
overcoming this void, filling it with meaning
through creative self-expression.
A notable trend in contemporary literature is the
exploration of the relationship between the author,
the writer, and their characters. The question of
the connection between the author and the
protagonist holds a central place in modern
literary studies, as it reflects the complex interplay
between the fictional world of the text and the real-
life personality of the author.
In recent decades, there has been growing
attention to the autofictional approach, where the
boundaries between the author's biography and
the fictional world become blurred, creating new
forms of interaction between the author and the
character. This research will examine the main
theoretical approaches to the author-character
problem, as well as analyze examples of
contemporary works in which this relationship is
expressed through various narrative strategies
and techniques.
The study focuses on issues related to identity,
authorial intent, and autofiction as significant
phenomena in the context of modern literary
practice. Abuzyarov's narrative strategies often
intertwine elements of personal experience with
symbolic representations, highlighting his unique
contribution to the autofictional trend in
contemporary literature.
In S.E. Kamilova's monograph, three types of
authorial "I" are identified:
•
Introverted type of authorial "I" in
contemporary short stories
•
Juvenile-retrospective type of authorial "I"
in contemporary short stories
•
Lyric type of authorial "I" in contemporary
Russian and Uzbek short stories
This study focuses on the third type, the lyric "I," in
Ildar Abuzyarov's short stories.
"In a number of contemporary works of short
prose, the dominance of lyrical elements is evident,
expressed through the lyric consciousness of the
author-narrator. This consciousness is marked by
a focus on the internal world, where societal and
social issues are generalized through the prism of
personal worldview."
The lyrical "I" becomes a defining feature in
Abuzyarov's stories, manifesting as a stream of
experiences that forms the narrative core. This
stream is composed of diverse emotions,
associations, memories, contemplations, and
meditations. Associative thinking, illogicality,
spontaneous shifts in emotions and mood, and a
chronotopical multiplicity are characteristic traits
of contemporary short stories with a lyrical "I."
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In Abuzyarov's prose, the lyrical "I" serves as both
a personal and universal lens, enabling the
narrative to explore complex intersections of
individuality and society. The blending of
introspection with broader societal reflections
highlights the multilayered narrative strategies
employed by the author. This lyricism is integral to
the poetic and philosophical depth of his stories, as
it provides a narrative space where internal
struggles and social themes converge seamlessly.
Ildar Abuzyarov’s short
story "Finding a Voice"
serves as a vivid example of employing the lyric
type of authorial "I," which, through the emotional
and metaphorical richness of the narrative, delves
deeply into the subjective experiences of the
protagonist, their inner struggle, and quest for
genuine identity.
S.E. Kamilova, in her work "The Contemporary
Short Story: Content Vectors and Narrative
Strategies," notes that the lyric type of authorial "I"
intensifies the protagonist's experiences and
creates a special unity between the protagonist
and the author, as well as between the artistic and
the personal. This manifests through emotionally
charged storytelling and poignant imagery.
In this story, Abuzyarov merges the author’s voice
with the protagonist’s, conveying a continuous
process of self-discovery and spiritual enrichment:
"I don’t exist," thought Cissoida, returning from a
literary gathering, "I don’t exist in literature, and
thus, I don’t exist in reality. After all, literature is
my whole life..."
At the heart of the story lies the protagonist's
metaphorical acquisition of a voice, which
simultaneously
represents
their
inner
transformation and their pursuit of meaning in a
world that transcends external social and cultural
circumstances.
Through
the
protagonist’s
symbolic interactions with the surrounding reality,
they attempt to comprehend their inner self,
achieve harmony, and free themselves from
external judgments and conventions. This
thematic foundation imbues Abuzyarov’s work
with a lyrical resonance, transforming the story
into a kind of monologue filled with emotional
nuances and reflection.
The authorial "I" in the story is expressed through
the protagonist’s inner monologues and their keen
perception of the surrounding world, underscored
by the motif of the "voice," symbolizing personal
freedom and self-expression. As noted by Uzbek
literary scholars, in lyrical narratives, personal
emotions become the central axis of the narrative,
allowing the author to make the protagonist not
only the bearer of plot actions but also the core of
the story's meaning and emotional depth.
In this case, the protagonist’s voice becomes a
metaphor for their inner liberation and search for
true selfhood. Through this journey, Abuzyarov
reveals a profound spiritual transformation,
culminating in the protagonist’s attainment of
harmony between their internal world and its
external expressions.
A distinctive feature of Ildar Abuzyarov’s short
story "Finding a Voice" is its rich symbolism and
refined poetics, which reveal the delicate nuances
of the protagonist’s experiences. The lyric type of
authorial "I" creates an effect of "transparency"
into the protagonist’s inner world, while attention
to detail emphasizes their sensitivity and ability to
perceive the world through the prism of aesthetic
and moral values.
The protagonist's lyrical reflection imbues the
narrative with intensity and emotional depth,
allowing the reader to fully experience the richness
of the character’s inner world and their complex
journey toward finding their voice:
"So, I hold a special pen
–
a gel pen. It has a
convenient shape. It suits both a child’s small hand
and an adult’s. Its style is equally fitting for both
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women and men."
Through such details, Abuzyarov not only reveals
the protagonist's reflections but also symbolizes
their growing awareness of individuality and
universality in self-expression.
Thus, in "Finding a Voice," Abuzyarov achieves a
striking and emotional effect, where the lyric type
of authorial "I" allows for a profound exploration
of the protagonist’s inner world. As S.E. Kamilova
aptly notes, such narrative strategies enable the
author to convey the protagonist’s personal
experiences
and
philosophical
reflections,
emphasizing their spiritual growth and quest for
individual harmony.
This combination of poetic expression and
symbolic depth makes "Finding a Voice" a
compelling exploration of the human journey
toward self-discovery and the power of authentic
expression.
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