Shukur Khollmirzaev’s essay “That person is a mentor, and I am a disciple”, its composition, plot, and system of characters

Abstract

This article investigates the composition, plot structure, and character system of Shukur Khollmirzaev’s reflective essay U Kishim - Ustoz, Men - Shogird (That Person Is a Mentor, and I Am a Disciple). Using an interdisciplinary methodology that combines narratology, thematic analysis, and cultural contextualization, the study situates the essay within modern Uzbek prose traditions. Results reveal a layered composition that blends memoir, philosophical meditation, and fictionalized dialogue; a plot that develops through memory and moral discovery rather than linear chronology; and a nuanced cast of characters where the “mentor” figure functions as both concrete person and symbolic embodiment of moral authority. The discussion underscores the work’s significance in shaping contemporary Uzbek literary discourse on mentorship, generational continuity, and national identity.