once upon a time poem summary
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Gabriel Okara
Gabriel OkaraAbout the Poet: Gabriel Imomotimi Gbaingbain Okara (born April 21, 1921 in Bumodi, Nigeria) is a Nigerian poet and novelist who may be pronounced as highly original and uninfluenced by other poets. He has been extremely successful in apprehending the moods, sights and sounds of Africa. His poems show great sensitivity, perceptive judgements and a tremendous energy. Okara also shows a concern on the topic of what happens when the ancient culture of Africa is faced with modern western culture.
Once Upon a Time Summary by Gabriel Okara
The poem “Once Upon A Time” written by Gabriel Okara illustrates the changes a father has seen in him throughout his life which have been influenced by the way society has changed.
In the first stanza, at the start of the poem Okara writes “they used to laugh with their hearts and… eyes; but now they only laugh with their teeth while their ice-block cold eyes search behind my shadow.” This phrase illustrates the change in the way people act showing that their laughs used to be genuine and heartfelt however now their attitudes have changed. The description of “laugh with their teeth” illustrates someone showing false interest. The dark imagery “ice-block cold eyes” which follows shows that there is no emotion or feeling in the action.
In the next stanza Okara describes how “they used to shake hands with their hearts” implying that the actions were genuine and were also symbolic of good intentions however “Now they shake hands without hearts while their left hands search my empty pockets.” This phrase illustrates that all good intentions have gone and how now it is every man for him. Everybody is only focusing on their own personal gain. The use of a metaphor emphasises how there is a lack of trust as everybody is trying to use each other.
Brief Note on the Poem:
Gabriel Okara’s Once Upon A Time is about the artificiality of relationships and manners prevailing in the present day world. The past, according to the poet, is better than the present; because there were love, sincerity and faithfulness in the past. Now that in the present, everything has changed. Hence the poet wants to relive the past.
Once upon a time, the people used to laugh with their hearts and eyes. That is, there was genuineness in what they said and did. But in the present, there is only outward ‘teeth laugh’ without understanding the speaker’s real self. The eyes are described as ‘ice block – cold’. The people have become money minded and naturally develop their relationships with the rich. Even when shaking hands with others, they are very artificial and hence mechanical.
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Explanation:
Okara is a Nigerian poet and novelist who was born on April 21, 1921, in Bumodi, Nigeria. His work is widely regarded as being very original and uninformed by other poets. His ability to comprehend the feelings, sights, and sounds of Africa has been outstanding. His poetry exhibit exceptional sensitivity, insightful judgements, and a remarkable amount of energy. Okara expresses concern about what occurs when the traditional African culture collides with the western civilization.
Gabriel Okara's summary of "Once Upon a Time"
Gabriel Okara's poem "Once Upon a Time" depicts the changes a parent has witnessed in his son throughout the course of his life, changes that have been influenced by how society has changed.
At the beginning of the poem's first stanza, Okara They used to laugh with their hearts and eyes, but they only laugh today with their teeth as their ice-block icy eyes look behind my shadow, the author claims. This expression demonstrates how attitudes have changed and how people no longer laugh sincere, heartfelt chuckles as they once did. The phrase "laugh with their teeth" describes someone feigning interest. The ominous picture that follows, "ice-block icy eyes," demonstrates that the action is devoid of emotion or feeling.
They used to shake hands with their hearts, Okara says in the following verse, suggesting that the gestures were sincere and symbolic of good intentions. However, "Now they shake hands without hearts while their left hands scan my body," she writes, empty wallets This expression shows that all previous good intentions have vanished and that everyone is now out for themselves. Everyone is simply thinking about what will benefit them personally. The usage of a metaphor highlights the lack of trust because everyone is trying to take advantage of one another.
Observations on the poem:
Once Upon A Time by Gabriel Okara is a story about the artificiality of relationships and etiquette that rule today's society. Because there was love, sincerity, and faithfulness in the past, the poet believes that it is better than the present. Everything has altered now that we are in the here and now. As a result, the poet yearns to revisit the past.
People used to laugh heartily and freely in the past.
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