36
“Hajvi ahli rasta” (Satire on the People of the Bazaar)
Textbook: pp. 238–240
GoalUnderstand the content and satirical method of Zavqiy’s “Hajvi ahli rasta”.
New words
satire · hajvbazaar row · rastavice, flaw · illatirony · kinoya
Explanation
“Hajvi ahli rasta” is Zavqiy’s satire on the people of the Qo‘qon bazaar. It mocks forty-six merchants and market people: some for their looks, others for their character and deeds. The poet wrote the poem on a large sheet with big letters and hung it on a tall poplar in the crowded Mo‘ymarak square. Well-known people are named one by one, so to understand it one must imagine Zavqiy’s time and the bazaar of Qo‘qon. The aim of satire is to expose flaws with laughter and urge people to correct them.
Worked examples
Example: if one is laughed at for stoutness and another for rudeness – those are satire of looks and of character.
Example: hanging the poem on a poplar is a way of bringing satire before the people; everyone can read it.
Class activity
Write a 2-sentence satirical text about a modern flaw (for example, rudeness) without naming any person.
Practice
1
Whom is “Hajvi ahli rasta” about?
The people of the Qo‘qon bazaar – forty-six persons.
2
How did Zavqiy bring the poem to the people?
He wrote it in big letters and hung it on a tall poplar in Mo‘ymarak square.
3
Name two directions of the satire.
Satire of appearance and satire of character.
4
Why must one know the times to understand such a satire?
Because it describes the well-known people of that time and the bazaar scene by name.