IRONY AS A TOOL FOR SHAPING REALITY IN BASHKIM SHEHU'S FICTION.

Over the centuries, literary texts have demonstrated a profound engagement with irony, fostering an ongoing dialogue between the ironist and the interpreter. Numerous works have sought to define irony's nature, particularly as a tool for critique, correction, or sociocultural commentary, continually reinterpreting narratives through evolving perspectives. In postmodern literature, irony emerges as a pervasive literary device, not only deconstructing cultural norms and representations but also challenging dominant postmodernist themes. This study examines the role of irony in the works of Bashkim Shehu, a prominent Albanian writer, conducting a critical analysis to illuminate the thematic frameworks underlying his literary practice. By identifying distinct patterns and modes of ironic expression in Shehu's fiction, this research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of irony's significance in Albanian postmodern literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]