IMAGES OF GOOD AND EVIL: BIBLICAL MOTIFS IN LITERARY WORKS (CHINGIZ AITMATOV “THE PLACE OF THE SKULL”, MIKHAIL BULGAKOV “THE MASTER AND MARGARITA”, JOHN STEINBECK “EAST OF EDEN”

This study analyzes the images of good and evil based on biblical motifs in the literary works of Ch. Aitmatov “The Place of the Skull”, M. Bulgakov “The Master and Margarita”, and Jh. Steinbeck “East of Eden”. The research uses intertextual and comparative methods to identify and interpret biblical motifs, highlighting similarities and differences in how these authors understand the eternal struggle between good and evil. The study also examines how these biblical motifs connect to modern problems, showing that good and evil have always been a fundamental part of human life and remain relevant today. The results of this research demonstrate the deep knowledge that Aitmatov, Bulgakov, and Steinbeck had of biblical texts and shows how they used them- whether explicit or hidden, partial or complete- in their works to reinterpret and reflect on human nature through the struggle between good and evil. This cross-cultural analysis contributes to the broader conversation about shared human values and the role of literature in preserving spiritual and ethical foundations.