The theme of exaggeration in folktales: a case study of selected Runyankole folktales

Abstract

The study critically analyzes the use of exaggeration in Runyankole folktales. The study was guided by two main objectives; - to investigate the theme of exaggeration as portrayed in selected Runyankole folktales and its impact on the society. The study was conducted in the field and also library research where need be and thus i employed qualitative approach of data collection to facilitate the study. The study in chapter four of this study observes that folktale characters share with characters of myths and epics certain exaggerated features, that, at least to some degree, set them apart from reality. Often, they were very tall or very small, very clever or very dumb, very fast or very slow, very powerful or very weak. Whatever happened in folktales was not told on a human scale but rather in super dimensional or diminutive terms. The study therefore focuses on exaggeratory statements and characters in folktales to highlight the importance of a certain element in the story, comedic exaggeration in folktales that produce a humorous comparison to reality, above exaggeration to prove a point or draw the listeners of such folktales into a certain focal point.