Individual Happiness and Collective Justice: A Linguocultural Comparison of Western and Uzbek Fairy Tales

Abstract

Fairy tales have historically reflected human morality and cultural heritage, conveying ethical teachings through evocative language and symbolic imagery. Among the most significant components of these narratives are moral lexemes, expressions that encapsulate values, such as benevolence, avarice, forbearance, and jealousy. This study examines the expression and interpretation of lexemes in the English tale Cinderella and the Uzbek tale Zumrad and Kimmat (Zumrad and Kimmat), both of which center on young female protagonists whose virtues are tested through adversity. The objective of the research is to examine the distribution, contextualization, and semantic significance of positive and negative moral lexemes in each narrative, as well as their reflection of the cultural values inherent in Western European and Uzbek traditions. The research uses a linguocultural and semiotic methodology alongside narrative analysis, emphasizing the significance of moral contrast in character development and plot progression. The results reveal both universal values, such as compassion and patience, as well as culturally specific elements such as the emphasis on forgiveness in Cinderella and the theme of retributive justice in Zumrad and Kimmat. The analysis is limited to the specific textual versions cited in the Methodology, which frames the scope and reproducibility of our findings. The study enhances comprehension of the relationship among language, culture, and morality in children's literature.