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TOHIR MALIK’S FANTASTIC STORIES: THE POETICS OF PLOT
Hamdamova
Shamshoda Saidakhmad qizi
PhD Candidate,
Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature
Email: shamshoda1996@gmail.com
Abstract;
This paper explores the plot poetics in the fantastic stories of
renowned Uzbek writer Tohir Malik. Through literary and structural analysis of his
short fiction, the study examines how narrative development, symbolic layering,
and suspense mechanisms contribute to the artistic depth of his fantastic tales.
Malik’s stories are marked by psychological tension, metaphysical speculation, and
moral inquiry
—
all embedded in carefully constructed plots. The research reveals
how his narrative architecture serves not only entertainment but also philosophical
and didactic purposes.
Keywords
: Tohir Malik, fantastic literature, plot structure, Uzbek fiction,
poetics, narrative dynamics, symbolism.
Introduction
Fantastic literature in Uzbekistan has evolved through a unique blend of
national traditions and global influences. Among its leading contributors is Tohir
Malik, whose fantastic stories stand out for their intricate plots, vivid imagination,
and psychological realism. While his novels like
Shaytanat
and
Charxpalak
have
gained widespread recognition, his shorter fantastic works present equally
significant literary value. These stories often delve into existential fears, spiritual
dilemmas, and symbolic realities, all narrated through a tightly woven plot
structure.
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The present study investigates the
poetics of plot
in Malik’s fantastic short
stories, focusing on the mechanisms that drive suspense, reveal character
transformation, and deepen the philosophical resonance of his fiction. The aim is
to show how Malik’s narrative design contributes to the formation of mea
ning and
emotional impact in the fantastic genre.
Methods
To analyze the poetics of plot in Tohir Malik’s fantastic stories, the study
employed the following methods:
•
Narratological analysis
: Examining plot progression, exposition,
climax, and resolution within selected stories.
•
Symbolic interpretation
: Identifying the use of allegory and
metaphors tied to the plot.
•
Comparative analysis
: Contextualizing Malik’s plot structures
within the broader tradition of global fantastic literature.
•
Contextual analysis
: Linking the stories’ themes with Uzbek cultural,
religious, and social realities.
Results
Story Title Plot Type
Key
Plot
Mechanism
Symbolic
Element
Thematic Focus
Ko‘zgu
(The
Mirror)
Psychological
loop
Unseen presence
in reflection
Mirror,
shadow
Identity,
conscience, hidden
truth
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Story Title Plot Type
Key
Plot
Mechanism
Symbolic
Element
Thematic Focus
Tungi
mehmon
Visitor
narrative
Strange guest at
midnight
Darkness,
voice
Death,
afterlife,
divine warning
Sado
(The
Echo)
Internal
conflict
Repeating inner
voice
Echo,
silence
Madness,
guilt,
suppressed
memories
The analysis of Tohir
Malik’s fantastic short stories demonstrates that his
approach to plot construction is rooted in a balance between suspense and
introspection. Each story builds tension not only through external events but also
through the gradual unveiling of the protago
nist’s inner state. The use of open
-
ended conclusions, moral ambiguity, and metaphysical symbolism allows the plots
to resonate beyond the literal level.
A notable result is the
interconnection between plot development and
symbolic elements
. Rather than progressing in a strictly linear fashion, Malik’s
plots often follow a
spiral structure
, where key symbols (such as mirrors, echoes,
or mysterious voices) recur and evolve, guiding the narrative toward philosophical
or psychological resolution. This technique keeps the reader engaged while also
encouraging deeper interpretation.
Moreover, the results show that
Malik’s stories resist conventional genre
boundaries
. They combine elements of horror, spiritual parable, and psychological
drama, yet maintain coherence through a unified plot logic. His stories rarely
provide clear answers; instead, they leave the reader contemplating moral and
existential questions, which is a hallmark of high-quality fantastic literature.
Finally, it is evident that
Malik’s mastery of suspense techniques
—
foreshadowing, delayed revelation, symbolic clues
—
adds not only to the aesthetic
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appeal of his fiction but also to its educational value. These features make his works
valuable for literary analysis, teaching, and cultural reflection.
Discussion
1. Plot Dynamics and Structure
Tohir Malik frequently begins his stories with ordinary settings that gradually
transform into surreal or uncanny spaces. The initial calm is disrupted by an
unexpected event
—
a voice, a dream, or a mysterious encounter
—
which sets the
narrative in motion. This transition from the real to the unreal is not abrupt but
rather psychological, aligning the reader’s perception with that of the protagonist.
2. Suspense and Uncertainty
A key feature of Malik’s fantastic plot is the buildup of suspense through
psychological ambiguity. The reader is often unsure whether events are truly
supernatural or the result of the character’s inner turmoil. For instance, in stories
such as
“Ko‘zgu”
(
The Mirror
) and
“Tungi mehmon”
(
Night Guest
), time loops,
reflections, and voices blur the line between dream and reality.
3. Moral and Philosophical Resolution
Unlike typical horror or sci-
fi stories, Malik’s tales resolve not with action but
with moral realization or spiritual awakening. The climax is often an internal
shift
—
guilt, repentance, or insight
—which redefines the protagonist’s relationship
with the world. The conclusion, though sometimes tragic, serves a didactic function
rooted in Sufi and Islamic moral traditions.
4. Symbolic Plot Motifs
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Tohir Malik uses recurrent symbols
—
mirrors, shadows, books, voices
—
as
narrative tools that guide the plot. These motifs often carry dual meanings: literal
and metaphysical. For example, a mirror may reflect not only physical appearance
but also hidden sins or alternate realities. The symbolic layering enriches the plot
and invites interpretive depth.
Conclusion
Tohir Malik’s fantastic stories stand as masterful examples of narrative
control and symbolic depth. His plot structures are not merely vehicles for
suspense, but layered frameworks that engage psychological, moral, and
metaphysical dimensions. The stories serve as moral parables, reflections on fate
and fear, and cultural dialogues between the seen and unseen. Through the poetics
of plot, Malik elevates the fantastic genre in Uzbek literature, bridging folk
spirituality and modern existentialism.
References
1.
Malik, T.
Tanlangan hikoyalar
.
–
Tashkent: Yozuvchi, 1995.
2.
Mirzaev, Sh. (2019).
O‘zbek hikoyachiligi poetikasi
.
–
Tashkent: Akademnashr.
3.
Todorov, T. (1977).
The Fantastic: A Structural Approach to a
Literary Genre
.
–
Cornell University Press.
4.
Jackson, R. (1981).
Fantasy: The Literature of Subversion
.
–
Routledge.
5.
Karimov, A. (2020). “The Psychological Turn in Uzbek Short
Fiction.”
Uzbek Studies Review
, 8(2), 34
–
41.
6.
Ganieva, N. (2023). “Symbol and Reality in Tohir Malik’s
Fantastic Stories.”
Philological Studies
, 5(1), 22
–
28.
