Ta'limda raqamli texnologiyalarni tadbiq etishning zamonaviy tendensiyalari va rivojlanish omillari
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THE USE OF PROVERBS AND FOLK EXPRESSIONS IN
THE FANTASTIC WORKS OF TOHIR MALIK
Hamdamova
Shamshoda Saidakhmad qizi
PhD Candidate,
Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature
Abstract:
This article explores the integration and interpretation of Uzbek
proverbs, idioms, and other elements of oral folklore in the fantastic fiction of
renowned Uzbek writer Tohir Malik. His use of folk expressions enriches the narrative,
adds layers of cultural meaning, and enhances the symbolic depth of his plots. Through
textual analysis, the study reveals how these traditional linguistic units serve not only
decorative purposes but function as carriers of moral philosophy, cultural memory, and
thematic reinforcement.
Keywords
: Tohir Malik, Uzbek folklore, proverbs, idioms, fantastic literature,
cultural symbols, narrative functions.
Introduction
Uzbek literature is deeply rooted in a rich tradition of oral folklore—proverbs,
idioms, legends, and spiritual sayings—that reflect the values, beliefs, and worldview
of the people. In modern Uzbek prose, especially in the genre of fantastic fiction, these
folkloric elements are often reinterpreted and embedded in narrative structures to create
a connection between past and present, realism and the supernatural.
Tohir Malik, a master of fantastic and psychological fiction, utilizes proverbs and
folk expressions not merely as stylistic tools but as cultural codes. In his works such as
Ko‘zgu
,
Falak
,
Sado
, and
Tungi mehmon
, these elements become active parts of the
narrative—triggering memory, foreshadowing events, or reflecting the protagonist’s
internal struggle. This article investigates how Malik incorporates oral folk elements
and idiomatic expressions in his fantastic works and how they contribute to the
philosophical and emotional resonance of his storytelling.
Methods
This study employs the following methods:
Textual and linguistic analysis
: Identifying and interpreting the proverbs and
idiomatic expressions in selected fantastic stories.
Folkloristic approach
: Comparing the literary use of folk elements with their
traditional meanings and functions in oral culture.
Symbolic reading
: Exploring the metaphorical and philosophical layers added
by folk expressions.
Ta'limda raqamli texnologiyalarni tadbiq etishning zamonaviy tendensiyalari va rivojlanish omillari
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Contextual interpretation
: Situating the usage within the sociocultural and
spiritual framework of Uzbek literature.
To effectively analyze the integration of proverbs and folk expressions in Tohir
Malik’s fantastic stories, this study employed a multi-layered methodological
framework:
1.
Qualitative Content Analysis
Selected stories such as
Ko‘zgu
,
Falak
,
Tungi mehmon
, and
Sado
were examined
line-by-line to extract and categorize proverbs, idiomatic phrases, and folkloric
references. Their placement in the narrative, frequency, and context were all considered
to determine their role in plot development and character formation.
2.
Comparative Literary Approach
Folk elements found in Malik’s texts were compared with their traditional use in
Uzbek oral literature—collected from proverb dictionaries, ethnographic records, and
previous folklore studies. This allowed for a better understanding of how Malik
adapted these expressions to a modern, fictional context.
3.
Linguistic and Semantic Analysis
Particular focus was placed on the figurative and symbolic meanings of idiomatic
expressions. Attention was given to connotative shifts, cultural implications, and the
emotional undertones these phrases created within the narrative voice.
4.
Narratological Tools
The function of folk expressions was also analyzed through narrative theory—
examining how they operated within exposition, conflict, climax, and resolution. This
provided insight into how traditional sayings act as structural devices in modern
fantastic fiction.
5.
Cultural-Hermeneutic Interpretation
Since many folk expressions are culturally encoded, a hermeneutic reading was
used to uncover deeper layers of meaning—especially in relation to national identity,
collective memory, and spiritual thought embedded in Uzbek oral heritage.
This methodological combination ensured that both the
form and function
of
folk expressions in Malik’s writing were explored—yielding a nuanced view of how
tradition enhances literary modernity in Uzbek fantastic fiction.
Results
The analysis reveals the following key results:
Tohir Malik uses
folk expressions not as embellishment
, but as narrative
devices that
advance plot, define character psychology, and deepen thematic
impact
.
Proverbs often function as
ethical commentary
, while idioms reflect
emotional
tension or hidden truth
.
Ta'limda raqamli texnologiyalarni tadbiq etishning zamonaviy tendensiyalari va rivojlanish omillari
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The inclusion of folkloric elements in a fantastic setting allows
a symbolic
blending of myth and modernity
, enhancing the
cultural identity
of the work.
Readers familiar with Uzbek oral traditions can access a
second layer of
meaning
, making Malik’s fiction deeply
intertextual and culturally rich
.
Literary
Element
Example
Used
in
Text
Narrative Function
Traditional
Origin
Proverb
“Yaxshilik
yomonlikdan kuchli.”
Moral
resolution
in
Tungi mehmon
Oral wisdom
Idiomatic
Expression
“Ichida o‘t yonardi.”
Character’s internal fear
Common
folk
usage
Folkloric Motif Visiting spirit
Supernatural
plot
trigger
Sufi-Islamic
belief
Discussion
1. Function of Proverbs in Narrative Structure
Tohir Malik often begins or ends his stories with a proverb that encapsulates the
moral or philosophical essence of the tale. For example, the proverb
“Har kim o‘z
falakini o‘zi yasaydi”
(Everyone shapes their own fate) is echoed throughout the story
Falak
, guiding the reader to interpret events not just literally, but ethically.
2. Idiomatic Language as a Psychological Mirror
In Malik’s fantastic stories, idioms such as
“Ko‘zlarida gunoh soyasi bor”
(There
is a shadow of sin in his eyes) are not just colorful expressions—they symbolize
internal moral decay or subconscious fears. This usage creates psychological depth and
enhances character portrayal in a culturally resonant way.
3. Folkloric Elements as Narrative Catalysts
Malik occasionally weaves in folkloric motifs—such as the belief in jinn,
ancestral voices, or sacred dreams—which often appear alongside traditional sayings.
These elements not only contribute to the atmosphere of the fantastic but also link the
supernatural events to national mythologies and collective memory.
4. Tension Between Tradition and Modernity
One of the remarkable aspects of Malik’s writing is the coexistence of traditional
wisdom and modern existential anxiety. Folk expressions serve as anchors of inherited
truth in stories where characters are otherwise lost in the complexities of a modern,
unstable world. Through this, Malik positions folklore as both a spiritual compass and
a narrative bridge.
Ta'limda raqamli texnologiyalarni tadbiq etishning zamonaviy tendensiyalari va rivojlanish omillari
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Conclusion
Tohir Malik’s integration of proverbs and folk expressions into his fantastic
stories reveals a sophisticated literary technique that unites form, culture, and
philosophy. These expressions serve as narrative markers, spiritual signposts, and
cultural resonators. By doing so, Malik not only preserves and revitalizes the oral
tradition but also elevates it into the realm of literary art.
His ability to fuse modern storytelling with ancient wisdom makes his work
uniquely powerful in the Uzbek literary landscape. The study concludes that Malik’s
fantastic fiction stands as a bridge between the mystical past and the uncertain
present—guided by the enduring truths found in the voices of the people.
References
1.
Malik, T.
Ko‘zgu va boshqa hikoyalar
. – Tashkent: Sharq, 1997.
2.
Rustamov, A. (2021).
O‘zbek xalq maqollari va hikmatlari
. – Tashkent:
Ma’naviyat.
3.
Karimov, D. (2018). “Folklor va adabiyot: til unsurlarining badiiy talqini.”
Adabiyotshunoslik ilmi
, 2(1), 41–47.
4.
Qosimov, B. (2015).
Xalq og‘zaki ijodining zamonaviy talqini
. – Tashkent:
Akademnashr.
5.
Jackson, R. (1981).
Fantasy: The Literature of Subversion
. – Routledge.
6.
Mamajonova, G. (2023). “Tohir Malik asarlarida milliy madaniy kodlar.”
O‘zbek
tili va adabiyoti
, 5(2), 60–66.
