The Linguistic and Poetic Function of Landscape Imagery in Kazakh Novels: An Analysis Based on Kazakh Novels Written After Kazakhstan's Independence

Abstract

This study explores the linguistic and poetic functions of landscape descriptions in Kazakh literary prose, focusing on the works of Mukhtar Auezov and Abdizhamil Nurpeisov. Drawing on selected passages from The Path of Abai and Blood and Sweat, the research analyzes how landscape imagery is not merely decorative, but serves as a powerful artistic device that reflects psychological states, shapes narrative structure, and conveys ideological and aesthetic meaning. The analysis demonstrates that in Auezov's prose, landscape often mirrors the protagonist's emotional transformations, functioning as a psychological parallel and a medium of lyrical expression. In contrast, Nurpeisov's landscape depictions, shaped by the harsh environment of the Aral Sea, align closely with the principles of social realism, expressing collective trauma, resistance, and existential despair. The study further highlights the stylistic differences between the authors, including the use of metaphor, symbolism, and emotional tone. Methodologically, it employs qualitative content analysis, interpretive literary stylistics, and cross-cultural literary comparison. The novelty of the study lies in its detailed comparative approach and its contextualization of Kazakh landscape imagery within broader theoretical frameworks, including psychological parallelism and narrative aesthetics. The findings reveal that landscape in Kazakh prose functions as a multidimensional tool operating at emotional, symbolic, and ideological levels. By integrating literary theory with close textual analysis, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of how landscape serves both an expressive and structural purposes in fiction. It also suggests new directions for future interdisciplinary research in literary and cognitive stylistics.