Once Upon a Time Themes

The main themes in “Once Upon a Time” are fear of the other and perfection and destruction.

  • Fear of the other: The family in Gordimer’s story are afraid of the world beyond their home, particularly of criminals infiltrating their exclusive suburb from the neighborhood where “people of another color are quartered.”
  • Perfection and destruction: Although the family try to live a “perfect life,” the extensive security measures they put in place to protect their lifestyle ironically result in destruction when their young son is killed.

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Themes: Fear of the Other

The family in “Once Upon a Time” is depicted as having an overwhelming fear of the outside world. Gordimer is pointed about the fact that the suburb in which the family lives is white, wealthy, and predicated on exclusion. Gordimer ironically implies that the family itself is not overtly or consciously racist, because the plaque that hangs over their gates features a silhouetted, race-neutral intruder who is masked: “it could not be said if he...

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Themes: Perfection and Destruction

The theme of pursuing perfection to the point of self-destruction is explored in many important works. Mary Shelley’s development of this theme in Frankenstein can be seen through Victor, who seeks to utilize science in the absolute creation of perfection, the results of which prove to be disastrous. In Madame Bovary, Flaubert’s heroine, Emma, seeks to make her dreams a reality, and in the process she sows the seeds of her own and her...

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Expert Q&A

How are the themes in "Once Upon a Time" similar to those in G. Marquez's "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings?"

Both "Once Upon a Time" and "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings" explore how perceptions and fears shape reality, leading to lost opportunities. In "Once Upon a Time," a family's fear of external threats imprisons them, diminishing their joy. Similarly, in "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings," the townspeople and Pelayo fail to recognize the wonder of the old man due to their preconceived notions, ultimately missing out on a profound experience.

Analyzing the themes, symbols, cultural context, and narrative techniques in Nadine Gordimer's "Once Upon a Time."

Nadine Gordimer's "Once Upon a Time" explores themes of fear, security, and apartheid. Symbols like the fence and alarms represent the characters' escalating paranoia. The cultural context reflects South Africa's apartheid era, highlighting racial tensions and societal divides. Gordimer's narrative technique includes a metafictional frame, blending fairy tale elements with a contemporary setting to critique societal issues.

Describe a person versus society conflict and a related theme in "Once Upon a Time".

An external conflict in "Once Upon A Time" is that the story's narrator is in conflict with her society about the best way to stay safe. She challenges the idea that higher walls or more defenses will lead to safety. Her conflicts with nature, such as the unstable foundations of her house or her inability to sleep, are symbols of the instability and "unrest" in her culture.

The structure and themes of "Once Upon a Time" share similarities with fairy tales

The structure and themes of "Once Upon a Time" resemble those of traditional fairy tales. The story employs a moral lesson, cautionary elements, and a narrative style that mirrors the simplicity and directness of fairy tales, while addressing complex social issues such as fear, security, and prejudice.

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Themes: Fear of the Other

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