THE ARTISTIC INTERPRETATION OF GOTHIC NOVEL FEATURES IN T. MALIK’S “FAREWELL, CHILDHOOD”
Keywords:
Gothic literature, Tohir Malik, Farewell Childhood, Uzbek fiction, Gothic conventions, mystery, psychological tension, trauma, memory, moral ambiguity, isolation, identity, fear and suspense.Abstract
This thesis looks at how Tohir Malik brings elements of the Gothic novel into his work “Farewell, Childhood”, giving them new life in an Uzbek literary setting. It focuses on the way Tohir Malik uses classic Gothic features—like mystery, fear, and emotional tension—not just to build suspense, but to explore deeper issues such as identity, memory, and moral struggle. The story’s dark, emotional atmosphere and symbolic use of setting help reveal the inner turmoil of characters growing up in a time of great social and personal change. Rather than simply following Western Gothic traditions, writer reshapes them through a local lens, connecting them to the post-Soviet experience. This blend of Gothic style with national and psychological themes makes “Farewell, Childhood” a powerful and original reflection on growing up, loss, and the human condition.
