"Once Upon A Time” by Gabriel Okara
Gabriel Okara is a Nigerian writer. He was born in Nigeria, in April 1921. Okara may be
described as highly original and uninfluenced by other poets. He has been extremely successful
in capturing the moods, sights and sounds of Africa. His poems show great sensitivity,
perceptive judgements and a tremendous energy. Okara also shows a concern regarding what
happens when the ancient culture of Africa is faced with modern western culture, for example in
his poem, 'Once Upon a Time'.
Questions: What is the theme of the poem? Who is the poet talking to?
Read through then try to answer these questions: What is the theme of the poem? Who is the poet
talking to? Why is the title/opening line effective? If this poem is about growing old and the
ways in which we adapt to adulthood, which other poems in the anthology might you compare it
to? Keywords: muting, conforming
Themes:
About how people change over the years and become false and untrustworthy About the
influence of the white western world on African nations – how countries like Nigeria were more
honest before being developed by the west.
Mood & Tone
This is a sombre, emotional poem with a strong moral message. Does it end on a positive or
depressing note? Does it inspire you or does it leave you cold?
Techniques
Repetition – ‘them’/’they’ – who are these people? What effect does this repetition have on the
reader?
Direct Speech – underline examples of this. Why is this an effective technique?
Quotes:
What do the following quotes mean to you? “but now they only laugh with their teeth” “Now
they shake hands without hearts while their left hands search my empty pockets.” “I find doors
shut on me” “I have learned to wear many faces like dresses” “I have also learned to say,
"Goodbye", when I mean "Good-riddance“” “unlearn all these muting things” “my laugh in the
mirror shows only my teeth like a snake's bare fangs!”
How does Gabriel Okara create a sense of regret in the poem ‘Once Upon A Time’?
Gabriel Okara (1921-) Gabriel Okara was born in 1921 in Nigeria. At this time Nigeria was still
a British colony and, indeed, it would be nearly forty years before his country was to gain
independence in October 1960. Okara’s poems tend reflect the problems that African nations
face as they are torn between the culture of their European colonisers and their traditional
African heritage. He also looks at the traumatic effect that colonisation and de-colonisation can
have on the self and on one’s sense of personal identity. As such, Okara often depicts characters
suffering from ‘culture shock’ as they are torn between these two irreconcilable cultures. .
Gabriel Okara (1921-) As a result of this divide, Okara seems to suggest, many modern Africans
do not know ‘who they are’ or ‘what they should be.’ His poem Once Upon a Time clearly
describes the problems that can arise when the cultures of ancient Africa and modern Europe
clash leaving people without a clear sense of how to behave and where to look for guidance. He
said, “Writers express their own ideal society, the kind they would like to live in. And sometimes
they forecast what the society in which they live will become in future.
Themes
Memory – an adult nostalgically remembering the past and regretting its loss.
Childhood – when you are a child you live in a more honest way. If it’s possible, you should
listen to your parent’s advice and learn from their mistakes so you can keep your true identity.
Relationships – Fathers and sons, in particular, what fathers can teach their sons. Also, illustrates
the relationship between the West and Nigeria.
Growing up – though he is talking about the influence of the West, there is an important
message about the loss of youthful idealism and the corrupting influence of age and money. It
focuses on how false adults can be with each other.
Language
Find examples of the following techniques and their effect.
Repetition of certain phrases emphasise physical attributes to do with the body.
Compound words emphasise falseness.
Metaphor to compare his old life with his new life.
Simile used to make strong comparisons that his son will understand and, in some cases, find
shocking or scary. This will help shock and warn him.
An allusion is used to add a fairy-tale or nostalgic feel. Word choices, in particular words
connected to Western culture.
Repetition – ‘laugh’, ‘eyes’, ‘teeth’, ‘hands’, ‘hearts’
Compound words – ‘ice-block-cold’, ‘homeface’, ‘officeface’.
Metaphor – ‘used to shake hands with their hearts’
Simile – ‘shows only my teeth like a snake’s bare fangs’.
Allusion – ‘Once upon a time…’
Word choices – ‘Come again!’, ‘conforming smiles’
Voice
What is the voice in “Once Upon a Time” and how is it established? Think about: Speaker, Tone
Setting, Diction
Structure
Okara uses simple and direct language. This presents his message in a clear and meaningful
way, both children and adults can understand. It is written in the form of a dramatic monologue
to add to the realism of the father’s conversation with his son.
There are six stanzas of unequal length which mirrors a real conversation. Short sentences,
repetition, punctuation marks and enjambment are all used to emphasise the urgency and
seriousness of his message but also to keep it simple for his son to understand.
Imagery
Types of imagery
Kinesthetic: movement.
Olfactory: smell.
Visual: sight.
Gustatory: taste.
Organic: feeling inside.
Tactile: touch.
Auditory: sound.
Okara uses various types of imagery. Here are a few types seen in the poem. Write down an
example and the effect of each: ORGANIC, VISUAL, TACTILE.
