ADOLESCENTS AND MODERN PROBLEMS: RELEVANT APPROACHES IN 21st-CENTURY ENGLISH AND UZBEK LITERATURE

newjournal.org zenodo.org 1 ADOLESCENTS AND MODERN PROBLEMS: RELEVANT APPROACHES IN 21st-CENTURY ENGLISH AND UZBEK LITERATURE Namangan State Pedagogical Institute Faculty of Social Sciences Department of Foreign Languages and Literature Bachelor’s Student Azimov Samandar Murodjon o’g’li E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +998942422220 Namangan State Pedagogical Institute Faculty of Social Sciences Department of Foreign Languages and Literature Bachelor’s Student Xakimova Feruza Ixtiyor qizi E-mail: [email protected] Mobile: +998938475722 Annotation: This article explores the portrayal of adolescents and their modern challenges in 21st-century English and Uzbek literature. It analyzes the psychological experiences of youth, their search for identity, and the influence of family, society, and globalization. In English literature, themes of personal freedom and individualism dominate, while Uzbek literature focuses on moral education, national traditions, and spiritual development. A comparative approach highlights similarities and differences in the literary depiction of teenage characters. Keywords: adolescents, modern literature, English literature, Uzbek literature, individualism, spirituality, upbringing, globalization, literary analysis. Annotatsiya: Ushbu maqolada XXI asr ingliz va o‘zbek adabiyotlarida o‘smirlar hayoti hamda ularning zamonaviy davrda duch kelayotgan ijtimoiy va ma’naviy muammolari tahlil qilinadi. Asarlarda yoshlarning ruhiy izlanishlari, shaxsiy mustaqillik, oilaviy munosabatlar va jamiyatdagi o‘rni badiiy ifoda orqali ochib beriladi. Ingliz adabiyotida shaxs erkinligi va individual qadriyatlar, o‘zbek adabiyotida esa tarbiya, milliy g‘oya va ma’naviy kamolot masalalariga alohida e’tibor newjournal.org zenodo.org 2 qaratilgan. Maqolada har ikki adabiyotdagi o‘smir obrazlari solishtirma yondashuv asosida tahlil etilgan. Kalit so‘zlar: o‘smirlar, zamonaviy adabiyot, ingliz adabiyoti, o‘zbek adabiyoti, shaxs erkinligi, ma’naviyat, global davr, badiiy ifoda, tarbiya, tahlil. Аннотация: В данной статье рассматриваются особенности отражения жизни подростков и их современных проблем в английской и узбекской литературе XXI века. Анализируются психологические переживания молодежи, поиск личной идентичности, влияние семьи и общества, а также воздействие глобализации и цифровой эпохи. В английской литературе акцент сделан на индивидуализме и свободе личности, тогда как в узбекской — на духовных ценностях, воспитании и национальных традициях. Сравнительный анализ позволяет выявить общие и отличительные черты в художественном изображении подростков. Ключевые слова: подростки, современная литература, английская литература, узбекская литература, индивидуализм, духовность, воспитание, глобализация, художественный анализ. Uzbek literature has deep historical roots that span many centuries. Its formation was significantly influenced by ancient written monuments such as “Avesto”, “OrkhonEnasoy Inscriptions”, “Qutadg‘u Bilig”, and “Devonu Lug‘otit-Turk”. These works served as vital sources reflecting human psychology, moral values, and social life. Such historical foundations continue to resonate in later stages of Uzbek literature, particularly in the works of contemporary writers. In the 21st century, both Uzbek and English literature place great emphasis on the life of adolescents, their spiritual world, self-awareness, and the impact of the modern information flow, technological development, and the emerging worldview shaped by the global environment. Through the artistic interpretation of adolescent characters, writers explore social transformations, the evolving forms of family values, and the delicate balance between personal freedom and social responsibility. From this perspective, Uzbek and English literature have become significant artistic platforms for understanding the worldview of today’s youth and depicting their adaptation to socio-cultural processes. newjournal.org zenodo.org 3 In contemporary English literature, the portrayal of adolescents often focuses on themes such as personal freedom, social pressure, self-identity, and the psychological experiences that arise during the transitional phase of youth. In the works of 21stcentury authors, young people are depicted as individuals striving to find their own life paths, develop independent viewpoints, and seek balance between societal norms and their inner desires. In J.D. Salinger’s renowned novel “The Catcher in the Rye,” the main character Holden Caulfield embodies the psychological struggles of adolescence, expressing rebellion against the adult world and the inner conflict of self-discovery. The novel pioneered a new approach to depicting adolescent psychology and left a profound influence on subsequent writers. Similarly, J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series portrays the stages of adolescent growth through the themes of friendship, courage, conscience, and the freedom of choice. Within the framework of a fantasy narrative, the author artistically reflects real-life social problems such as injustice, orphanhood, responsibility, and humanity. Through the images of adolescent characters, the novels reveal the importance of family, friendship, and moral values in human life. Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” deeply explores the inner states of an adolescent’s psyche, addressing issues of social isolation, loneliness, and the journey of self-realization with a psychologically rich perspective. The reader witnesses the mental quest and emotional transformation characteristic of adolescence within a realistic environment. Overall, the artistic interpretation of adolescent characters in 21st-century English literature has acquired a new aesthetic form by delving deeply into the human psyche and highlighting the influence of social and moral factors on personal development. In contemporary Uzbek literature, adolescent images are being reinterpreted with new meanings and forms. Writers focus particularly on the spiritual quest, personal growth, moral education, and the search for one’s place in society that characterize adolescence. In the works of modern Uzbek authors such as Isajon Sultan, Xurshid Do‘stmuhammad, and Zulfiya Qurolboy qizi, the spiritual world of young individuals is portrayed in harmony with social transformation. For instance, in Isajon Sultan’s works, themes of human values, dreams, and self-awareness are artistically analyzed through adolescent characters. The newjournal.org zenodo.org 4 protagonists in Xurshid Do‘stmuhammad’s narratives often seek their own path amid struggles between social injustice, moral crisis, and personal responsibility. In the stories of Zulfiya Qurolboy qizi, the lives of adolescents are portrayed from the perspective of family relationships, values, and the moral norms of society. Her works address relevant issues such as the gap between the dreams of the younger generation and the realities of life, the lack of parental attention, social pressure, and the psychological impact of information technologies. Overall, in modern Uzbek literature, adolescent characters are no longer depicted merely as secondary figures but as individuals capable of independent thought, possessing their own dreams and life positions. This transformation marks a new stage in the evolution of Uzbek literature, serving to deeply analyze and artistically reveal the role of the younger generation within the socio-cultural environment. In both 21st-century English and Uzbek literature, the artistic representation of adolescent life acquires new ideological significance by reflecting the sociopsychological atmosphere of modern society. While Western literature tends to focus on the themes of individualism, personal freedom, and internal self-search among young people[1],Uzbek literature interprets adolescence as a crucial stage in achieving spiritual and moral maturity. [2]. In the works of English writers, particular attention is given to exploring adolescent psychology through themes of self-discovery, social pressure, and the feeling of alienation. For instance, in the creative works of J.D. Salinger and Stephen Chbosky, adolescent characters are depicted as individuals experiencing inner struggles related to social adaptation and the formation of independent thought[3].These works also reveal how factors such as technology, cultural diversity, and globalization directly influence the worldview of adolescents[4]. In Uzbek literature, adolescent characters are primarily shaped under the influence of national values, upbringing, and the family environment. In the works of writers such as Isajon Sultan, Xurshid Do‘stmuhammad, and Zulfiya Qurolboy qizi, adolescents 1 Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. - London: Little, Brown, 2016. 2 Sulton, Isajon. Boqiy darbadar. - Toshkent: Yangi asr avlodi, 2019. 3 Chbosky, S. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. — New York: MTV Books, 1999. 4 Green, J. Looking for Alaska. — New York: Dutton Books, 2005. newjournal.org zenodo.org 5 undergo spiritual trials in the process of self-realization, where the values of society and parental guidance serve as the main sources of moral support[5]. At the same time, contemporary authors strive to realistically portray the impact of the information age on the consciousness of the younger generation[6]. In both literatures, the artistic interpretation of the adolescent image is formed through the harmony of psychological and social factors. While English writers mainly analyze crises within individual consciousness, Uzbek authors emphasize moral balance and social responsibility. Therefore, in the 21st century, the issue of adolescence is viewed as a relevant analytical direction situated at the intersection of national, cultural, and global dimensions. In today’s modern literary processes, adolescent-related themes are regarded as a crucial field that reveals the most sensitive layers of social and psychological life. In English literature, this subject is predominantly expressed through the young generation’s pursuit of personal freedom, the process of making independent decisions, and the search for the meaning of life. In contrast, Uzbek literature examines adolescence from the perspective of moral values, family upbringing, and social responsibility. Although the image of adolescents is represented in different artistic forms in both literatures, the central focus remains on the human soul, inner emotions, and the individual’s connection with society. In the works of English writers, individualism and personal freedom are dominant, whereas Uzbek literature prioritizes the adolescent’s aspiration toward spiritual maturity, loyalty to national values, and social harmony. Thus, in both literary environments, the theme of adolescence remains significant not only as a means of artistic expression but also as a cultural phenomenon that shapes the moral identity of society and the consciousness of the younger generation. REFERENCE 1. Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. - London: Little, Brown, 2016. 2. Sulton, Isajon. Boqiy darbadar. - Toshkent: Yangi asr avlodi, 2019. 3. Chbosky, S. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. — New York: MTV Books, 1999. 5 Do‘stmuhammad, Xurshid. 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Namangan davlat pedagogika institute “Ta’lim va taraqqiyot” ilmiy-uslubiy jurnali 2025-yil 2-son. 13.00.00PEDAGOGIKA FANLARI JOURNAL_NAMSPI.UZ, ISSN:2992-9008: UDK:37, -B: 104-112 14. Dexkonova G. A. Ingliz tili o’qitish metodikasi. O’quv qo’llanma. №412648 15. Dexkonova G. A. Description of teaching the lexical aspects of english to primary school students and developing lexical competencies through didactic tools. Journal newjournal.org zenodo.org 7 of applied science and social science, 14 Choudhary Colony Near Bhawsar Namkin Mandsaur M.P. 458001 India Principal Contact Current Research Journals Publisher [email protected], Current Impact Factor:- 2024:7.75 Volume 14 Issue 11, November 2024 -Pages: 136-144