Abstract
This study pays attention to the comparison of implicit characterisation between isiZulu folktales and short stories. The research makes this comparison particularly with regard to the use of dialogue and action to reveal personality traits and physical appearance. The first chapter provides the background of the topic. Studies conducted on folktales and short stories are reviewed to establish what other scholars have concluded about them. It discusses the aims of the study, significance of the study, scope of the study and research methodology. Definitions of the key terms and literature review are also covered. The second chapter focuses on the theoretical framework that underpins this study. It discusses the relevance of stylistics in this study and also provides a detailed discussion of literary theory, the concept of stylistics, historical background, assumptions, stylistics and fiction, and concludes by comparing the stylistic application in folktales and short stories. The third chapter discusses dialogue as a means of characterisation in folktales and short stories. The definition of the concept of dialogue initiates the chapter, followed by dialogue that reveals personality and then dialogue that reveals physical appearance in both genres. A comparison of the use of dialogue to reveal personality and physical appearance comes before the conclusion, which outlines the findings. The fourth chapter discusses action in folktales and short stories, dwelling more on how it is used to reveal characters in both genres. A comparative analysis of how action is employed in both genres is done. The definition of the concept of action initiates the chapter, followed by actions that reveal personality and the actions that reveal physical appearance in both genres. A comparison of the use of actions to reveal personality traits and physical appearance comes before the chapter is concluded. The fifth chapter is the general conclusion of the study. It provides the summary of the study, research findings, observations and recommendations for further research.
M.A. (African Languages)