This article analyzes the short story Kutilgan kun (The Expected Day) by Lukmon Burikhan, one of the prominent contemporary Uzbek prose writers. Like most of the author’s stories, Kutilgan kun (The Expected Day) is rich in depictions of the protagonist’s psychological state. At the same time, the portrayal of the protagonist’s inner emotions plays a crucial role in expressing perceptions of external appearance. We also focused on the writer’s unique style. Through the inner monologues of the main character, Boyxon, the author illustrates his dreams and his attitude toward conflicts in family relationships. In our analysis, we observed Lukmon Burikhan’s masterful style in depicting Boyxon’s unfortunate and sorrowful life, the economic and psychological crisis in the family, and his inner conflicts. By portraying the inner world of his characters, the author reflects on the era, family, and social relationships. The apricot tree in the story carries symbolic meaning, representing the conflicts between the characters’ external and internal worlds. Additionally, the author highlights family disagreements, social inequality, and internal contradictions through Boyxon’s personal struggles and his conflict with the outside world. The study comparatively examines how the writer successfully intertwines social, psychological, and emotional drama within the story.
Uzbek author, Lukmon Burikhan, story characters, psychological depiction.