Metaphorical and Imaginative-Paradoxical Expression in Nazar Eshankul’s Novel “Gorugli or The Water of Life”

This article aims to explore metaphorical and imaginative-paradoxical expressions in contemporary Uzbek literature through Nazar Eshonkul's novel, "Gorugli or the Water of Life," emphasizing the representation of an antihero within modern literary frameworks. Employing a comparative and contextual methodology, the study utilizes sociological, historical-cultural, and psychological analyses to deeply interpret the novel's underlying themes and artistic innovations. The findings reveal Eshonkul's critical portrayal of social alienation and personal degradation, metaphorically illustrated through the protagonist's descent into animalistic despair, reflecting broader societal issues of injustice and moral decay. The novel's depiction of the protagonist’s tragic demise underscores the alienation inherent in modern existence, aligning closely with existential and Kafkaesque literary traditions. The implications of this research highlight how modern Uzbek fiction, through sophisticated literary devices, engages profoundly with philosophical discourses on human dignity and societal dysfunction, offering nuanced insights into the cultural and psychological landscapes of post-independence Uzbekistan.