Women’s images in the lyric poetry of G. Touqay
- Authors
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Irina Vladimirovna Sofronova
Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования «Чувашский государственный университет имени И.Н. Ульянова».
Author
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- Keywords:
- poetry, poem, literary fairy tale, love lyrics, image of a woman, oriental traditions, G. Touqay
- Abstract
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The purpose of this research article is to explore the specific depiction of female characters in the lyrical works of the classic Tatar poet Gabdulla Touqay. The subject of the study is the means and methods of depicting female characters and women’s destinies in the poet’s poems. In his work, the author draws on the traditions of Eastern lyric poetry, as well as techniques of satire, irony, and realism. The descriptive and thematic methods of conducting the study allowed him to demonstrate the depth of his thought and present a more detailed analysis of his poetic images. The results of the study show that female imagery plays a significant role in G. Touqay’s poetry. Through them, the poet conveys his attitude toward beauty and love, and describes the lives of ordinary people. The specifics of his images and their poetic meaning change depending on the period of his literary career, his age, the political conditions in the country, and his source of inspiration. During the poet’s Ural period, these images are characteristic of love poems. They extol the physical beauty of the beloved. The poet adheres to the traditions of Eastern poetry, comparing her facial features with details of material culture and nature. He also extols individual details of her body. During his Kazan period, female images are characteristic of G. Touqay’s love, satirical, and civic poetry. In his love poetry, he combines Eastern poetic traditions with Tatar culture, depicting real feelings. Realistic images of women in his civic poetry demonstrate the powerless position of women and depict their unfortunate lot. In his poems, the author gives the floor to the heroine herself; often, the lyrical hero’s speech sounds like laughter through tears. Through elements of satire, the poet criticizes men’s attitudes toward women and the shortcomings of women in his circle. Female imagery allows the poet to demonstrate social contradictions and criticize social norms. Female mythological figures are present in works inspired by folklore. In creating these works, the poet adheres to folkloric ideals and traditions, preserving their artistic and aesthetic value. The poet’s works are characterized by the following images: the beautiful lover, the Tatar beauty, the old procuress, the unfaithful wife, the su anasi, the submissive and Godfearing wife, woman of the people. However much the poet admired the images of heavenly houris, for him, the earthly woman still remains the ideal.
- Author Biography
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- 2026-11-02
- Issue
- No. 2 (2026)
- Section
- Philology
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