REALITY OF THE ERA AND THE ISSUE OF ARTISTIC IMAGE IN THE WORKS OF GABIDEN MUSTAFIN

Abstract

The article examines the relationship between historical reality and artistic characterization in the works of Gabiden Mustafin, a prominent representative of Kazakh literature. The study focuses on the novels Shyganak and The Millionaire, analyzing their representation of the historical and social transformations of the Soviet period, the conflict between the old and the new, and the literary image of working people. The purpose of the research is to identify the writer’s ideological and aesthetic position and creative individuality by examining how social change and human destiny are represented in his prose. The study employs comparative-historical and hermeneutic methods and draws on Mustafin’s literary-critical essays as well as theoretical insights from S. Kirabayev, M. Auezov, G. Musrepov, and M. B. Khrapchenko. The findings show that Shyganak presents the social transformation of rural life and the transition to collective labor, whereas The Millionaire explores adaptation to new social relations and the emergence of an educated and enterprising leader. Through the characters of Zhomart, Zhakyp, and Zhanat, Mustafin reveals the complex relationship between Soviet ideological demands and lived reality, emphasizing morality, honesty, diligence, initiative, and responsibility within a changing society. The article concludes that Mustafin’s prose extends beyond the ideological framework of its period and retains literary value through its portrayal of national identity, the historical experience of the Kazakh people, and individual psychology.