Oxymoronic Imagery in Askar Altay’s Novel «tuazhat»

This article explores the use of oxymoronic imagery in Tuazhat, a novel by one of the leading voices in contemporary Kazakh prose, Askar Altay. Through paradoxical word combinations that juxtapose conflicting meanings, the author effectively reveals the protagonist’s inner turmoil, psychological complexity, and the broader spiritual crisis pervading society. The study discusses the literary and theoretical foundations of the oxymoron and examines its stylistic and semantic functions in both Kazakh and world literature. Key oxymoronic expressions such as “a light fallen into hell,” “dead silence,” and “living carcass” are analyzed for their symbolic and compositional value. These expressions help convey the central tensions of the novel—life and death, light and darkness, tradition and modernity. As a stylistic device, oxymoron serves not only to intensify emotional resonance but also to highlight deep philosophical and symbolic layers of meaning. The findings demonstrate that oxymoron in Tuazhat is more than a rhetorical figure; it is a powerful metaphorical tool that reflects the contradictions of the era and the complexity of human experience. It enhances the emotional impact of the narrative and deepens the novel’s conceptual and thematic structure.