They feature invented characters and imaginary events. Fictional works present characters who are created by the author, even if they resemble real people. For instance, in The Concubine by Elechi Amadi, Ihuoma is a fictional woman believed to be a sea-goddess whose beauty brings tragedy to her suitors. Her story, though rooted in Igbo culture, is an imaginative creation, not a historical account.
They prioritize artistic expression over factual accuracy. Fiction values aesthetic qualities such as plot structure, imagery, and language over objective reporting. In Houseboy by Ferdinand Oyono, Toundi's diary is a fictional device that allows the author to explore colonial injustice through vivid metaphors like "the Blackman's Grave" for the hospital. The artistic portrayal matters more than literal truth.
They employ narrative structures that are deliberately designed. Fiction follows crafted patterns like exposition, climax, and resolution to create emotional impact. In The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka, the three-part structure—Morning, Noon, and Night—mirrors the progression of Sidi's decision to marry Baroka. This design serves thematic purposes, not documentary ones.
They often include imaginary settings and worlds. Many fictional works are set in places that never existed or are shaped imaginatively. In The Dilemma of a Ghost by Ama Ata Aidoo, the ancestral "ghost" that haunts Ato's dreams symbolizes the weight of tradition. This supernatural element is a fictional device, not a real occurrence.
They use figurative language and literary devices extensively. Fiction relies on metaphors, similes, and symbolism to convey deeper meanings. In the poem Building the Nation by Henry Barlow, the driver's "stomach pains" from hunger contrast ironically with the Permanent Secretary's "ulcers" from overeating. This figurative contrast exposes class hypocrisy, a function of poetic imagination.
Their primary purpose is to entertain, evoke emotion, and explore universal truths. Fiction seeks to move readers through imagined experiences. In A Freedom Song by Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye, Atieno's tragic death from postpartum bleeding evokes sympathy and raises awareness about child labor and neglect. The poem, though fictional, speaks to real societal issues and human suffering.
In summary, novels, plays, poems, and short stories are categorized as fiction because they spring from imagination, prioritize artistic craft, and present invented characters and events. Examples from works like The Concubine, Houseboy, The Lion and the Jewel, and Building the Nation illustrate how fiction uses creative elements to entertain, provoke thought, and illuminate the human condition. Their value lies not in factual documentation but in their power to reveal deeper truths through storytelling.