The short story "Once Upon a Time" uses the structure of a fairy tale with its setting, narration, tone, terms, and part of the sequence of events. Although she does not use the phrase "Once upon a time" to begin the narration, it is used instead in the title to suggest to the reader that there will be a fairy tale..
Also know, how is the use of the phrase happily ever after in this story different from its use in traditional fairy tales?
Nadine Gordimer's short story differs from the usual fairy tale in that her story commences with the phrase, 'happily ever after', whereas in traditional fairy tales this is normally only used at the end of the story. Gordimer deliberately employed this inversion, not only to pique the reader's interest or to
Likewise, why was the husband's mother referred to as the witch in the story? Answer: It should be noticeble that although the term "wise old witch" is a reference to the husband's mother, she is a symbol of the previous apartheid regime in South Africa. The government of that time acted only in the interests of privileged whites, who are represented by the rest of the family in the story.
Also asked, which three excerpts from Nadine Gordimer's Once Upon a Time are reminiscent of those elements found in traditional fairy tales?
Answer: The three excerpts from Nadine Gordimer's “Once Upon a Time” that are reminiscent of those elements found in traditional fairy tales are: - In a house… there were a man and his wife who loved each other very much and were living happily ever after. …
How does the cat symbolize and support the theme of this story?
The cat's perception represents the fear of "the other" that is a critical aspect of the parents' understanding of the world and their place in it. Finally, the ending of the story shows the cat supporting the theme of fear of "the other" in how it trips the alarm. The cat is the one who sets off the alarm.
Related Question Answers
What theme does Gordimer communicate through the ending of the fairy tale?
What theme does Gordimer communicate through the ending of the fairy tale? Actions motivated by extreme fear can be harmful. Children are more open-minded than adults.What does the wise old witch symbolize in Once Upon a Time?
The wise old witch is interpreted as the South African government. She keeps on urging the family to make their security system stronger, to protect what is most important, and to never let anyone in.What does the boy symbolize in Once Upon a Time?
The boy symbolizes innocence. He is completely unaware of the dangers from which his paranoid, or could we say pragmatic, parents and grandmother wish to protect him. He ironically and tragically becomes in the most horrific manner the victim of their worst nightmare.What is the theme of Once Upon a Time?
In fact, the theme of "Once Upon a Time" is about the devastating consequences that can result when one overreacts to fear or perceived danger.Why did Nadine Gordimer write once upon a time?
Gordimer wrote this story to show that building walls against the people we fear is a path to self destruction. In this fairy tale, as she calls it, a family consisting of a mother, father, and young son is fearful of the underclass in their world. People have been murdered and hurt.How is the structure of once upon a time similar to a fairy tale What elements do they share?
The short story "Once Upon a Time" uses the structure of a fairy tale with its setting, narration, tone, terms, and part of the sequence of events. Although she does not use the phrase "Once upon a time" to begin the narration, it is used instead in the title to suggest to the reader that there will be a fairy tale.What is Once Upon a Time by Nadine Gordimer about?
The theme of Nadine Gordimer's short story "Once Upon a Time" is the danger of overreacting to fear. In the story, the protagonist tells herself a bedtime story in which a family goes all out trying to make their home safe -- including putting up a deadly razor wire fence.What can you infer about what Gordimer leaves unstated at the end of the story?
At the end of the story, Gordimer leaves the family's reactions unstated. Gordimer shows the parents extracting their son and bringing him inside. She does not state their thoughts to this painful reality. We can infer that the parents would have to reconsider their fears of the outside world.What was given by the old witch to her son and his wife as Christmas gift?
Old witch gave her son and his wife money as Christmas gift for security equipment.What warning does the wise old witch give to her son and his wife?
What warning does the "wise old witch" give to her so and his wife? The wise old witch tells her son and his wife that they should never take anyone of the street.Who is the protagonist in Once Upon a Time by Nadine Gordimer?
Once Upon a Time By: Nadine Gordimer. In Nadine's "Once Upon a Time" ,the protagonist the father is consumed by fear which is the antagonist of the story. The start off in the home of Nadine Gordimer then she gradually start telling a story of a family that live in a house in the suburb of a very corrupt city.What is the theme of a story?
Defining a Theme The theme in a story is its underlying message, or 'big idea. ' In other words, what critical belief about life is the author trying to convey in the writing of a novel, play, short story or poem? This belief, or idea, transcends cultural barriers. It is usually universal in nature. 
