Lessons 40–41 · 2 lessons · Q. Yo‘ldoshev, V. Qodirov, J. Yo‘ldoshbekov. Literature: textbook for Grade 9 of general secondary schools. Revised and expanded 4th edition. “O‘zbekiston” NMIU, Tashkent, 2019
41
The poems of Omon Matjon
Textbook: pp. 231–238
GoalState in your own words the content of Omon Matjon’s poems “Vatan mehri”, the taxmis “Avvalgilarg‘a o‘xshamas” and “Eng so‘nggi xazina” and explain their ideas.
New words
refrain · naqarottaxmis (adding lines to another poet’s couplets) · taxmisnational pride · milliy g‘ururradif (repeated ending word or phrase) · radif
Explanation
In “Vatan mehri” the lyrical hero soars with the birds and feels the magic of the earth; each stanza names great scholars of Uzbekistan (Beruniy, Xorazmiy, Buxoriy, Ulug‘bek and others). The repeated lines in place of a refrain call Uzbekistan the land of melodies and of people devoted to the homeland. “Avvalgilarg‘a o‘xshamas” is a taxmis written on Navoiy’s ghazal with this radif: Matjon adds three lines of his own to Navoiy’s couplets, forming five-line stanzas. He reflects on changing times, human worth, love and truth, answering Navoiy’s thought from his own age’s point of view. “Eng so‘nggi xazina” is a tale-like narrative poem: there are two neighbouring peoples – one large and lazy, the other small and hard-working. When an enemy attacks the large one, the small one helps, then the two become friends; but with time the small people ends up in the state of a servant under the “elder brother’s” burden. A wise man tells its chief that the people still has an unawakened treasure – pride – and urges him to awaken it. The textbook explains this pride as the nation’s last priceless treasure, and the poem’s ending leaves the question open.
Worked examples
Example: in “Eng so‘nggi xazina” the order “neighbour – friend – younger brother – servant” shows a slow change. The poet shows the danger of becoming a servant not at once but step by step.
Example: in the taxmis Navoiy’s lines and Matjon’s lines stand together in one stanza – like a conversation between two ages. The device shows the link between classical tradition and modern poetry.
Class activity
For each of the three poems write the triple “theme – main idea – mood” in a table (without copying lines). Then retell “Eng so‘nggi xazina” in 5 sentences.
Practice
1
Which scholars are named in “Vatan mehri”? Name three.
For example: Beruniy, Xorazmiy, Buxoriy (or Ulug‘bek, Sino, Termiziy).
2
What is a taxmis? Write in your own words.
A poem written by adding one’s own lines to the couplets of another poet’s ghazal.
3
What does the wise man tell the chief in “Eng so‘nggi xazina”?
The people has an unawakened treasure of pride, which must be awakened; otherwise the people will fade.
4
Why does the textbook call national pride “the last treasure”?
Because even if other riches are lost, pride keeps a nation’s identity; without it national freedom cannot be won.