STYLISTIC INNOVATION AND MODERNIST TENDENCIES IN THE POETIC SCHOOL OF RASUL RZA

The purpose of the study is to determine the artistic and stylistic innovations in Rasul Rza’s poetic style, with particular attention to his adoption of free verse, engagement with modernist aesthetics, and the broader literary significance of these developments within Azerbaijani poetry. The research has employed methods of stylistic and comparative analysis of selected poems by Rasul Rza and key representatives of his literary school to identify genre features, linguistic innovations, and deviations from traditional poetic forms in Azerbaijani literature. Focusing on the works of four central figures, Rasul Rza, Alekbar Salahzade, Ali Karim, and Ramiz Rovshan, the research analyses their poetic output to highlight the transformation of poetic form, language, and thematic concerns that distinguished this school from traditional Azerbaijani poetry. The representatives of Rasul Rza’s literary school consciously moved away from classical poetic genres such as the ghazal and qasidah, embracing European-influenced free verse, which offered freedom from fixed rhyme schemes and metrical patterns. This liberation enabled poets to explore novel rhythmic structures, intonations, and sound patterns that contributed to a more flexible and expressive poetic language. The study reveals that the school’s poetry encompasses a broad spectrum of themes including urban life, nature, and profound philosophical reflections, thereby broadening the thematic scope of Azerbaijani literature. Stylistically, the poets employed colloquial vocabulary and various rhetorical devices such as anaphora, epiphora, and syntactic parallelism to intensify emotional resonance and enhance musicality. A notable feature is the frequent use of short, laconic, and nominative sentences that impart dynamism and immediacy to the verse, reflecting the rapid pace and fragmented reality of modern existence. The research situates Rasul Rza’s school within the broader context of global modernism, demonstrating how it synthesized national poetic traditions with international avant-garde trends. This fusion contributed to the emergence of a uniquely Azerbaijani modernist poetic identity that resonated with intellectual and aesthetic currents worldwide. The findings underscore the school’s role in revitalizing Azerbaijani poetry by dismantling rigid formal constraints, expanding thematic boundaries, and integrating a conversational tone that made poetry more accessible and socially relevant. Through these innovations, the Rasul Rza school contributed to the development of intellectual poetry in Azerbaijan, characterized by philosophical depth, linguistic experimentation, and stylistic freedom. This study offers valuable contributions to literary history, stylistics, and theory by elucidating the processes of poetic modernization and the evolution of literary forms in Azerbaijan. The study affirms that Rasul Rza’s poetic school remains a cornerstone of Azerbaijani literary modernization, bridging the gap between national tradition and global literary innovation, and shaping the future directions of Azerbaijani poetry.