Interpretation of the story about Yuzuf and Zuleikha in the novel ”Zuleikha opens her eyes” by G. Yakhina

The article analyzes the peculiarities of presenting the folklore religious plot about Yuzuf and Zuleikha in G. Yakhina's novel “Zuleikha opens her eyes”. This plot is widely spread in Eastern literature, as it goes back to religion and the folklore heritage, it is included in both the Bible and the Koran, which causes its popularity. The authors of the article consider the origins of the religious plot and the variants of its interpretation in the Eastern literature. The writers' appeal to such types of plots is justified, first of all, by the fact that the culture of the described ethnic group is associated with a certain religion and, therefore, inherits its traditions. In her novel, G. Yakhina uses the plot written by poet A. Jami in the poem “Yuzuf and Zuleikha”. The female characters of these texts turn out to be similar in a number of ways: religiosity, fate, tempers. The differences are connected with the image of Yusuf and, consequently, his relationship with the women: Zuleikha in the novel written by the modern author is a mother, Zuleikha from the poem is in love with a beautiful young man. The male characters also have common traits in their temper – they are sincere, pure, eager to explore the world; they have the same life mission – supporting others and giving them hope. They are different because Yuzuf lacks religiosity in the novel and he leaves his mother, whereas Yuzuf and Zuleiha in the poem do not part after their reunion. The authors of the article believe that G. Yakhina resorts to this plot to show how true love can manifest itself: the love of a parent to their child is as pure and sincere as the love of the heroes of Jami's poem to God.