COMPARISON OF CHILDHOOD CHARACTER IN UZBEK AND ENGLISH NOVELS
Abstract
This article presents a comparative literary analysis of the portrayal and construction of childhood characters within the classical and modern novel traditions of Uzbek and English literature. By examining representative works—ranging from the social realism of Charles Dickens to the culturally rich prose of Gafur Gulyam and Abdulla Qahhor—this study explores how the "child" serves as a focal point for social critique and moral development. The research utilizes a comparative-historical approach and thematic analysis to identify the similarities and differences in the developmental trajectories of young protagonists. Key findings suggest that while English novels often emphasize the child’s struggle for identity against rigid class structures and industrialization (the Bildungsroman tradition), Uzbek novels frequently situate the child within a framework of communal ties, traditional ethics, and historical shifts in national identity. Furthermore, the article analyzes the stylistic devices used to convey the child’s interiority, such as the use of "innocent eye" narration and folklore elements. Ultimately, this comparison reveals universal archetypes of childhood innocence and resilience while underscoring how distinct cultural values and historical contexts shape the literary representation of youth. The study contributes to the field of comparative literature by bridging the gap between Eastern and Western literary perceptions of the formative years of life.