Folk Motifs in Poetic Language of Ilyas Zhansugurov and Their Interpretation in Modern Times

Abstract

This paper examines the significance of folk motifs in Ilyas Zhansugurov's poetry and analyzes their interpretations within contemporary literary and cultural contexts. To achieve these objectives, the study employs stylistic analysis, contextual analysis, an intertextual approach, and comparative analytical methods. The findings reveal that Ilyas Zhansugurov’s poetry is rich in folk motifs, and the poet focuses on describing the steppe, nomadic lifestyle, and the customs of the Kazakh people, showcasing the values of wisdom, courage, and honor, and glorifying Kazakh traditions and the indigenous lifestyle. It was found that Ilyas Zhansugurov contributed to the personification of the dombra, the development of epic storytelling, the use of folklore-based symbolism, and the incorporation of proverbs and sayings within the poetic texts. The research demonstrated that Ilyas Zhansugurov’s poetry inspired modern Kazakh poets, leading to the incorporation of folk motifs into their works. Besides, four key motifs in Ilyas Zhansugurov’s poetry were outlined. They included the dombra (identity, history, and the voice of the nation), the steppe (freedom, endurance, and the nomadic way of life), the horse (betrayal, loss, and political oppression), and the kuishi (bridge between generations). Additionally, it was revealed that several stylistic devices were employed in Ilyas Zhansugurov’s poetry. They included the following: metaphor, hyperbole, symbolism, imagery, personification, repetition, rhetorical question, contrast, irony, and allusion. The findings offer valuable implications for contemporary literary studies.