YASHAR GARAYEV AND THE ISSUES OF CRITICAL REALISM STUDIES

The aim of this article is to investigate the development of critical realism in Azerbaijani literature, focusing particularly on the theoretical and scholarly contributions of Yaşar Qarayev. The study examines both classical and contemporary literary perspectives, identifying the theoretical, aesthetic, and ideological foundations of critical realism through a scientific and methodological approach. The research explores the formation and evolution of critical realism in world and Azerbaijani literature, emphasizing its expression within social and public contexts. Methodologically, literary-historical analysis, comparative evaluation, and conceptual approaches are employed. The article demonstrates that Yaşar Qarayev regarded critical realism not only as a literary trend but also as an essential instrument in shaping national consciousness, public awareness, and aesthetic thought. According to Qarayev, realism allows for an in-depth, objective, and analytical representation of the interactions between individuals and society, highlighting social and ideological contradictions. His works emphasize the continuity and renewal of realism, illustrating how critical realism fulfills both aesthetic and social functions. The study concludes that Yaşar Qarayev’s concept of critical realism represents a significant model in Azerbaijani literature, emphasizing the social role of literature and the writer’s public responsibility. His scholarly legacy provides a comprehensive understanding of realism’s role in the development of national literature, demonstrating its enduring aesthetic, ideological, and methodological significance.