Symbolism of a Journey in Selected Ekegusii Proverbs
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Abstract
This essay examines how a journey is symbolically used to express different ideas in selected Ekegusii proverbs. The study analysed the forms of imagery used in the representation of a journey in selected Ekegusii proverbs. Further, the study investigated the symbolic meanings of the journey in the selected proverbs. Data for the study comprised twenty-two proverbs making reference to a journey. The proverbs were obtained from a purposively selected collection of Ekegusii proverbs; Atemba (2011), Ekegusii Wisdom Revisited. A qualitative research design that involves a self-interpretive reading method was used to identify and select proverbs making reference to a journey. The acquired data were analysed using the Stylistics theory. The analysis revealed that various forms of imagery are used in the representation of the journey in the selected proverbs. The study also established that a journey is symbolically used to represent human activities, conditions, situations, and conditions. The study concluded that the journey in Ekegusii proverbs serves both as a stylistic and educational tool.
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