Title:   A STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF THE LEXICAL CHOICES IN AKACHI ADIMORA-EZEIGBO'S ROSES AND BULLETS

Abstract
This paper x-rays the stylistic significance of the lexical choices in Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo's Roses and Bullets using Leech and Short's (2007) model of linguistic stylistics as a framework. The study focuses on the categories of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, as well as semantic fields and connotations, to explore how diction conveys themes of war, love, and survival. The findings reveal that Ezeigbo employs a deliberate violent and tender lexicon-bullets and roses-as a stylistic device to dramatize the destructive impact of the Nigerian Civil War on human relationships, particularly on women and children. Her lexical choices serve symbolic, emotive, and evaluative functions, reinforcing the tension between destruction and resilience.

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Publication Date: 2026-08-19