Historical Context and the Fate of the Hero in the Works of Akyn Alakanuly

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the works of one of the distinctive writers of contemporary Kazakh prose — Akyn Alakanuly, in the context of ethnocultural translocation and postcolonial discourse. The focus is placed on the artistic system, thematic direction, and character imagery, all closely linked to historical reality. In the author’s works such as «Aq äje» (“White Grandmother”), «Ala ayğyrdıñ aqyry» (“The End of the Dappled Stallion”), «Qara baytaldyñ qasireti» (“The Tragedy of the Black Mare”), and «Ört şalğan jürek» (“A Heart Engulfed in Flames”), one can trace an artistic reflection on the socio-historical
events of the colonial and postcolonial periods and their impact on the characters’ destinies. The characters in these works are portrayed not only as witnesses of an era but also as guardians of historical memory and d efenders of national spirit. For instance, in the short story «Qara baytaldyñ qasireti» (“The Tragedy of the Black Mare”), the personal tragedy of the protagonist reveals the consequences of cultural rupture between generations. The author’s methodology is based on the combination of historical facts with elements of psychological depth, while the chronotopic structure of the narrative establishes a dialogue between the past and the present. In the novella «Ört şalğan jürek» (“A Heart Engulfed in Flames”), the writer explores the resilience of the Kazakh people, and the polyphonic narrative structure reflects the idea of social pluralism. The author’s stance, aligned with postcolonial theory, is built on the dialectic of “subjugation” and “freedom”, with the protagonists’ actions aimed at overcoming the legacy of the colonial past, even as they confront new challenges under globalization. The article examines the synthesis of historical fact and artistic imagination, as well as the blending of social realism with symbolic representation. Special attention is given to the creation of artistic images of Kazakhs living abroad and their efforts to pr eserve national identity away from their historical homeland. The analysis also addresses narrative structure, the system of cultural codes and symbols, as well as landscape and psychological details. The author’s narrative style, textual space, and methods
for constructing psychological portraits are explored. Through the inner worlds of the characters, questions of national self-awareness, the consequences of colonial oppression, and the significance of historical justice are revealed. Particular attention is paid to the interaction between author and reader, as well as to the specifics of text perception. Thus, Akyn Alakanuly’s work underscores his importance in the contemporary literary pr ocess and spiritual-cultural sphere. His artistic strategy maintains a balance between the revival of the national narrative and critical reflection on social transformations, contributing to the development of postcolonial aesthetics in modern Kazakh literature.