Significance of Irony in Ateso Folktales.

Abstract

This study investigates the different forms of irony in Ateso folktales. The main focus is on how irony creates meaning in Ateso folktales. Some of the different forms of irony include; verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony. This study was conducted mostly through interviews and documentary analysis. The findings of the study were to prove that irony is significant in upbringing of children. Whereas itis true that there are other forms that Ateso folktales employ like imagery, symbolism among others,they do not bring out the message clearly and above all the beauty of folktales that explains why this study is based on irony because it clearly brings out the message that the folktales are meant to, for example irony develops critical thinking among the people who listen to the folktales because it encourages the listeners to think in order to understand the message.The conclusion that was derived from the study was that irony creates meaning in Ateso folktales because these folktales among other narratives and forms of oral literature play a didactic role that shapes society. The major forms of irony include; Dramatic irony, verbal and situational irony. Worth noting is that the study has not explored all the tales among the Iteso but rather a few that were found worthy in the event of the study.