Once Upon a Time Questions on Fairy-Tale Language

Once Upon a Time Study Tools

Ask a question Start an essay

Once Upon a Time

In Nadine Gordimer's "Once Upon a Time," various stylistic devices create a children's story atmosphere with an ironic twist. The story uses a frame narrative, allegory, and fairy tale elements like...

6 educator answers

Once Upon a Time

Nadine Gordimer transitions from autobiography to bedtime story by starting with a first-person narrative reflecting her fears and reluctance to write a children's story. This autobiographical frame...

3 educator answers

Once Upon a Time

The fairy-tale quality of the story allows the reader to relate to the characters and events in a way that Gordimer’s other writings do not.

1 educator answer

Once Upon a Time

Gordimer uses simple language, repetition, stock phrases, polysyndeton, and repeated motifs to create the atmosphere of a fairy tale in describing the family's situation.

1 educator answer