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Nazarova Rayxon Sh.,
Doctoral student of the Linguistics and English Literature Department
Uzbek State University of World Languages (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
e-mail: ray11_91@mail.ru
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7574-9434
The following article analyzes the concluding part of the trilogy about Thomas Cromwell, written by British author Hilary Mantel. Specifically, it emphasizes the deconstruction of the protagonist’s image, which represents a key aspect of this research. The primary objective of the article is to draw attention to the mechanisms of deconstructing the heroic image in the novel “The Mirror and the Light”. Throughout the research, aspects such as the transformation of the reader’s perception of Thomas Cromwell across the trilogy, the evolution of his character from a pragmatic strategist to a vulnerable individual, and the influence of historical context on the predetermination of his fate are examined. The outcome of this study is the conclusion that personal ambitions and moral compromises can lead to the downfall of even the most distinguished individuals, thereby questioning traditional notions of heroism and nobility within the framework of historical reality. This conclusion not only enriches the understanding of Thomas Cromwell’s character but also offers broader reflections on the nature of power, responsibility, and human frailty in the context of historical circumstances. Hilary Mantel’s trilogy thus emerges as not only a literary work but also an important philosophical reflection on the human condition in a world filled with uncertainty and moral challenges.
Keywords: deconstruction, historical novel, image, power, ambition, archetype, hero, evolution of the image
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