Psychological evolution of characters and social stratification in the novel «Mungli kuzlar» («Sad Eyes») by Khudoyberdy Tuhtaboyev

Abstract

This article analyzes the novel «Mungli kuzlar» («Sad Eyes») by the Uzbek writer Khudoyberdi Tokhtaboyev, with a focus on the artistic and psychological techniques used to reveal the inner world of a child. The study is conducted within the frameworks of psychoanalytic and socio-psychological approaches, which allow for a deeper understanding of the characters’ motivations, behavioral patterns, and the influence of the external environment on the formation of a child's consciousness. The author skillfully employs a system of imagery, symbolism, and contrasts to portray the tragic condition of a child in a world where traditional values are collapsing, moral standards are deteorating, and the family institution is losing its foundational role. Special attention is given to the protagonist's personal development in a context of emotional isolation, lack of parental care, and the overall spiritual desolation of the surrounding world. Through the lens of a child's perception, social problems become particularly acute, lending the narrative a powerful emotional impact. Tokhtaboyev's novel is viewed as an important literary testament of its era, reflecting the painful transformations of society and the fate of the individual amid these changes.