LINGUISTIC STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF BEN OKRI’S TALES OF FREEDOM

Abstract

This paper dives into the ideas of literariness and style in Ben Okri's Tales of Freedom, highlighting how various linguistic and narrative techniques shape the work's unique aesthetic and philosophical essence. Using stylistic and literary analysis, the study examines Okri's blend of prose and poetry, his incorporation of myth, allegory, and parable, and how he skillfully plays with language to create rich meanings and push the boundaries of traditional storytelling. The paper posits that Tales of Freedom represents a distinctive storytelling approach where the line between fiction and philosophical thought blurs, ultimately enriching the text's literariness. Through detailed textual analysis, it showcases how Okri’s stylistic decisions emphasize themes of freedom, transcendence, and the metaphysical, placing his work within the context of both African literary traditions and wider postmodern aesthetics.