Once Upon a Time Questions on Apartheid

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Once Upon a Time

"Once Upon a Time" by Nadine Gordimer is narrated from a first-person point of view, beginning with the author recounting her own experience. The setting shifts to a fairy-tale-like suburban...

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Once Upon a Time

In Nadine Gordimer's "Once Upon a Time," the wall symbolizes the fear and paranoia of outsiders, reflecting the divisive and isolating nature of apartheid in South Africa. It represents the family's...

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Once Upon a Time

In "Once Upon a Time," Nadine Gordimer's political views are critical of apartheid and the societal divisions it creates. Through the story, she highlights the consequences of living in fear and...

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Once Upon a Time

The key aspects of "Once Upon a Time" include themes of fear, security, and the consequences of extreme measures taken to protect oneself. The climax occurs when the family's security system...

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Once Upon a Time

In "Once Upon a Time," the family's home is secured through various measures driven by fear of intrusion and theft, reflecting apartheid-era tensions. They subscribe to a Neighborhood Watch, display...

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Once Upon a Time

The term "wise old witch" in "Once Upon A Time" represents the husband's mother, symbolizing the apartheid-era South African government. This metaphor highlights the government's focus on protecting...

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Once Upon a Time

The responsibility for the boy's fate in "Once Upon a Time" lies with his parents. Their excessive fear of crime leads them to install a dangerous security system, which ultimately causes their son's...

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Once Upon a Time

Nadine Gordimer differs from other South Africans through her fearless activism and literary work against apartheid. Unlike many who accepted government restrictions, she openly criticized racial...

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Once Upon a Time

Nadine Gordimer's "Once Upon a Time" highlights the sociological issue of apartheid, emphasizing the fear and prejudice against "the other" in South African society. The story illustrates how...

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Once Upon a Time

Gordimer's story develops the truth about social and political ignorance, highlighting how fear and prejudice are often self-created. Set against the backdrop of apartheid in South Africa, the...

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Once Upon a Time

The boy's fate is unexpected and ironic because the family's extreme security measures, intended to protect against intruders, ultimately cause harm. The story's "frame" suggests a happy ending, as...

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