A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE CHARACTERS OF ELIZABETH BENNET AND KUMUSH:

Abstract

This article explores a comparative analysis of two literary characters: Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1813) and Kumush from the Uzbek novel Kumush by Abdulla Qodiriy (1929). Both characters exist within distinct cultural and historical contexts—Elizabeth within Regency-era England and Kumush within early 20th-century Uzbek society. Despite these differences, both characters challenge the social expectations placed upon them, navigating complex relationships and personal growth. Through a feminist lens, the analysis highlights their respective portrayals of intelligence, independence, and self-awareness. This comparison also seeks to illuminate the ways in which both authors use their protagonists to critique societal norms and advance the discourse on women's roles in their respective societies.