THE REPRESENTATION OF ADOLESCENT PERSONALITY AND PSYCHOLOGY IN G‘AFUR G‘ULOM’S “SHUM BOLA”

Abstract

This research examines the representation of adolescent personality and psychological development in G‘afur G‘ulom’s well-known Uzbek literary work Shum Bola (The Mischievous Boy). The protagonist Qoravoy is portrayed as a young boy whose personality develops under the influence of poverty, social difficulties, family circumstances, interpersonal relationships, and various life experiences. The study focuses on the major psychological characteristics of adolescence reflected in Qoravoy’s behavior, including curiosity, independence, resourcefulness, emotional sensitivity, fear, courage, optimism, adaptability, and the desire for freedom. Particular attention is given to the relationship between the adolescent personality and the social environment in which the protagonist grows up. The research demonstrates that G‘afur G‘ulom does not present Qoravoy merely as a mischievous or playful child; instead, he creates a psychologically complex young character whose adventures reveal the contradictions of childhood and the gradual movement toward adulthood. The humorous and satirical narrative style of the author plays an important role in revealing the protagonist’s inner world, while the social circumstances surrounding Qoravoy explain many aspects of his behavior and decisions. The study concludes that Shum Bola represents adolescence as an important period of psychological formation in which a young individual learns to understand society, establish personal independence, overcome difficulties, and develop a distinct sense of identity. The work therefore has considerable literary, psychological, social, and educational significance for the study of adolescent personality in Uzbek literature.