THE INTERPRETATION OF CHARACTERS INFLUENCING THE PROTAGONIST'S UPBRINGING IN ERKIN MALIK'S "THE STREETS OF CHILDHOOD AND ADULTHOOD"

This article examines the role of characters influencing the protagonist’s upbringing in Erkin Malik’s novel “The Streets of Childhood and Adulthood.” The study focuses on how family members, peers, mentors, and community figures contribute to the protagonist’s emotional, moral, psychological, and ideological development. Using a character-centered analytical approach, the research identifies the functions and symbolic meanings of both central and peripheral characters within the narrative. The findings reveal that the protagonist’s formation is shaped not by a single dominant influence but by a complex system of interconnected characters. The study also highlights the specific features of Uzbek Bildungsroman tradition, including the importance of collective influence, cultural values, and social environment. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of character systems and their role in shaping personality development in Uzbek literary works.