This article explores the depiction of a hero's struggle for happiness in Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Iqbol Mirzo's Bonu. Both works present protagonists who face societal constraints, moral dilemmas, and personal hardships in their pursuit of fulfillment. Tess and Bonu emerge as symbolic figures of resilience, navigating environments that restrict their agency. While Hardy critiques Victorian social norms that dictate gender roles and class divisions, Mirzo reflects post-Soviet cultural tensions and shifting social values. This comparative study highlights the universal nature of human perseverance and the impact of societal expectations on individual well-being. By examining key themes such as fate, love, and social injustice, the article underscores how these literary figures resonate across cultures and historical contexts.

Hero, struggle, happiness, societal constraints

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