LAND, CULTURAL IDENTITY, AND RURAL LIFE IN WILLA CATHER’S MY ÁNTONIA AND TOGʻAY MUROD’S OTAMDAN QOLGAN DALALAR: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Аннотация

This study explores the representation of land, cultural identity, and rural life in Willa Cather’s My Ántonia and Togʻay Murod’s Otamdan qolgan dalalar (Fields Inherited from My Father). Although these novels originate from different cultural and historical contexts, both portray the deep connection between individuals and the land they inhabit. Employing a comparative literary approach, the research examines how the two authors use rural settings to construct cultural identity, preserve collective memory, and express social values. The study applies comparative textual analysis supported by concepts from cultural memory studies and ecocriticism. The findings reveal that land functions not only as a physical environment but also as a symbol of heritage, belonging, and continuity. While Cather emphasizes immigrant experiences and adaptation to the American prairie, Togʻay Murod highlights ancestral inheritance and the preservation of national identity through agricultural traditions. The analysis demonstrates that both novels contribute significantly to the understanding of rural literature and cultural memory despite their distinct literary traditions. The study also identifies common themes of resilience, attachment to homeland, and the role of rural communities in shaping individual and collective identities