Lessons 7–9 · 3 lessons · B. To‘xliyev, B. Karimov, K. Usmonova. Literature: textbook-collection for Grade 11 of secondary schools and for students of secondary specialised and vocational institutions, Parts 1–2. 1st edition. “O‘zbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi” State Scientific Publishing House, Tashkent, 2018
8
About the elegy for Alp Er To‘nga
Textbook: Part 1, pp. 63–64
GoalInterpret the figure of Alp Er To‘nga and the deeper content of the elegy on the basis of the textbook’s analysis.
New words
Afrosiab, legendary Turkic ruler identified with Alp Er To‘nga · Afrosiyobchief of the begs · beklar begimourning · motamarchaic word · eskirgan so‘z
Explanation
According to the textbook, Alp Er To‘nga is an ancient hero of the Turks, and Yusuf Xos Hojib writes that the Tajiks call him Afrosiyob. Mahmud Koshg‘ariy places Afrosiyob in the city of O‘rdukent in Kashgar and gives details of his sons Barman and Barsg‘an and a daughter named Qaz. In the elegy the people’s unity, solidarity and goodness are linked to the hero’s name, and his death is judged a tragedy that let evil people raise their heads and crushed the learned. Afrosiyob is called not just a beg but the “chief of the begs,” and the text stresses that thanks to his courage the enemy could not touch the people’s freedom. Only the words “esiz,” “ajun” and “o‘dlak” in the elegy are archaic; the rest are still used today.
Worked examples
Example: The elegy says that after the hero’s death good manners weaken and the learned are crushed, so the poet regards him as a pillar of society.
Example: Instead of “esiz” we say “afsus” or “attang” today; that is why “esiz” counts as an archaic word.
Class activity
Mini-debate: two groups spend one minute each on the topic “Why is the hero’s death presented in the elegy as the grief of the whole people?”
Practice
1
What do Yusuf Xos Hojib and Koshg‘ariy say about Alp Er To‘nga?
Yusuf Xos Hojib writes that the Tajiks call him Afrosiyob; Koshg‘ariy gives his place at O‘rdukent in Kashgar and details of his children.
2
Which words in the elegy are archaic?
“Esiz,” “ajun” and “o‘dlak.”
3
How does the elegy show the hero’s importance? Give an example.
He is a symbol of unity and goodness: after his death evil people rise, the learned are crushed and manners weaken.
4
Why is Afrosiyob called the “chief of the begs” and not just a beg?
Because he is the most powerful and respected ruler, and thanks to his courage the enemy could not touch the people’s freedom.