In at least 150 words, discuss Nadine Gordimer‚ use of metaphor to develop the main theme in ‚Once Upon a Time.‚ Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
Answers
I feel the poet Gabriel Okara has beautifully portrayed the degradation of values, ethics, innocence, and humane values in the modern times. The poet feels in the olden times people lived life sincerely. There was less hypocrisy and materialism as compared to the contemporary times.
People loved to interact with one another and there was warmth in their relationships. However, in the current times people are cold and devoid of humane warmth.
People these days pretend to be what they actually are not. The poet is not happy with this hypocrisy and put up appearances. He longs to have his old days back. He yearns to laugh sincerely the way he used to in the past. He wants to learn this innocence and sincerity from his son who is a child.
I totally agree with the poet’s views. I also wish there should be warmth, respect, cordiality, and love in human relationships.
Metaphors in the poem:
their ice-block-cold eyes: this metaphor means people have cold eyes devoid of love; there was a time when people had love in their eyes for others; but the people in the current times have eyes as cold as ice.
homeface, officeface, streetface, hostface, cocktailface: these metaphors stand for the artificial facial expressions that people put on while they are at home, office, street, cocktail party. All these metaphors mean that people have become hypocrites.
Once Upon A Time by Nadine Gordimer is a fairy tale story in a reverse order which represent her views on apartheid South Africa.
She used simple language, conflict between good and evil, and the use of a moral to create her own fairy tale.
She beautifully explains that nothing positive can happen by the horrors of apartheid.
The simplistic words and grammar is a good read for both adults and children.