Aral Sea in two novels («Last Duty» by A. Nurpeissov and «Abyrzhy» by S. Zhubatyruly)

Abstract

The article comprises analysis of two novels («Last Duty» by A. Nurpeissov and «Abyrzhy» by S. Zhubatyruly) addressing the Aral Sea issue which is one of the key problems in ecological literature. The authors state that the protagonist of «Last Duty» is at the same time the medium representing ecological idea in his consciousness. On the other hand, S. Zhubatyruly, who is writer and ecologist at the same time, also represents the Aral tragedy towards the personal drama of his character. Environmental disaster in «Abyrzhy» is shown in course of protagonist’s stream of consciousness. S. Zhubatyruly investigates the Aral tragedy rather on its «vertical» axis than on the linear one. Complicated mental processes in protagonist’s sub-consciousness are presupposed by Aral problem.