THE ROLE OF HYPERBOLE IN EXPRESSIVE AND CHARACTER-BUILDING FUNCTIONS IN LITERATURE: A CASE STUDY OF MATILDA

This study is devoted to analyzing the expressive and character-building functions of hyperbole in literary texts, using Roald Dahl’s Matilda as a case study. The research examines how hyperbolic expressions are employed to create vivid characters, dramatize events, and convey the author’s social critique. Hyperbolic devices in the novel enhance the psychological portrayal of characters and emphasize the intensity of the social environment. The findings demonstrate that hyperbole in literature functions not only as a stylistic tool for aesthetic effect but also as a semantic mechanism for conveying the author’s ideas.本研究以罗尔德·达尔（Roald Dahl）的《玛蒂尔达》（Matilda）为案例对象，探讨文学文本中夸张（hyperbole）手法的表达功能与人物塑造作用。研究考察了夸张表达如何被运用于塑造鲜活人物形象、戏剧化叙事事件，并传递作者的社会批判主张。该小说中的夸张手法能够强化人物的心理刻画，并凸显社会环境的张力。研究结果表明，文学作品中的夸张不仅是实现审美效果的文体工具，更是传递作者创作理念的语义机制。