Mythopoetic Thinking and Symbolic Representation In Contemporary uzbek short fiction: a study of shodiqul hamro’s “the woman in the photograph”

Abstract

:           This article examines mythopoetic thinking and symbolic representation in contemporary Uzbek short fiction through the analysis of Shodiqul Hamro’s short story “The Woman in the Photograph”. The study focuses on the author’s narrative strategies, psychological portrayal, and the symbolic functions of artistic details. The photograph in the story is interpreted not merely as an object but as a symbolic space connecting memory, human destiny, loneliness, and existential experience.The research explores how Shodiqul Hamro incorporates elements of modernist aesthetics into Uzbek prose while preserving national literary traditions. Particular attention is paid to the representation of loneliness, the interaction between reality and the imaginary world, and the transformation of everyday events into philosophical reflections. The article also discusses parallels between the author’s artistic approach and certain features of Western modernist literature, particularly existential themes associated with human isolation and the search for meaning.The findings demonstrate that Shodiqul Hamro’s fiction contributes to the development of contemporary Uzbek storytelling by introducing innovative narrative forms and symbolic structures. Through mythopoetic images and psychological depth, the writer reveals the complexity of human existence and the hidden dimensions of individual consciousness.