Abstract
This paper systematically explores the literary strategies and style as layers of meaning in Ben Okri’s Tales of Freedom. It focuses on how the author’s language choices and stylistic techniques shape meaning, narrative impact, and thematic growth. The study uses tools from linguistic stylistics, including foregrounding theory, transitivity analysis, modality, and cohesion. It investigates how Okri’s manipulation of language creates a unique literary voice that blurs the boundaries between fiction, parable, and philosophical reflection. Special attention is given to deviation, metaphor, repetition, and narrative perspective, along with the inclusion of other traditions and mythic elements. The analysis shows that Okri’s style is not merely an aesthetic feature; it serves to engage with themes of freedom, transcendence, consciousness, and reality. By highlighting the connection between form and meaning, the paper argues that Tales of Freedom illustrates how stylistic innovation can improve literary and philosophical exploration. This study contributes to the broader discussion on African literary stylistics and underscores the significance of linguistic methods in revealing the richness of postcolonial literature.