7.1 ONCE UPON A TIME BY GABRIEL OKARA

INTRODUCTION

Once Upon a Time is a poem by Nigerian poet Gabriel Okara that explores themes of cultural loss, hypocrisy, fear, and the contrast between traditional innocence and modern social pretenses.

The poem reflects the poet’s concern that modern society has become insincere and superficial, leaving people unable to express genuine emotion. Through irony and contrast, Okara criticizes the loss of natural human warmth and the adoption of social facades.

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FORM AND STRUCTURE

• Written in free verse
• Lacks rhyme or strict meter, reflecting the natural flow of thought
• The poem is narrative and reflective, combining personal observation with social critique
• The poem is divided into two main parts:
  1. Reflection on the past – where human emotions were genuine and free
  2. Observation of the present – where social pretenses dominate

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LANGUAGE AND STYLE

• Simple yet powerful diction
• Contrast and irony are central devices
• Repetition of phrases like “Once upon a time” emphasizes nostalgia
• Direct address and personal reflection engage the reader
• Use of figurative language: metaphors, similes, and symbolism

SUMMARY/MEANING

The poem opens with the refrain “Once upon a time”, recalling a past when people were honest, kind, and emotionally open. Children laughed freely, adults expressed emotions without fear, and social interactions were genuine.

The second part contrasts this ideal past with the modern era, where people are cautious, guarded, and deceitful. Relationships are formal, rigid, and driven by fear rather than affection.
Okara illustrates this with lines describing forced smiles, false laughter, and insincere greetings, showing how modern humans have become trapped in social pretense.

The poem ends with a warning: unless society reconnects with honesty and emotional openness, people will continue to live in emotional exile from themselves and others.

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THEMES

1. Loss of Innocence

• The poem contrasts childlike honesty and freedom with the artificiality of adult society
• Nostalgia for a time when emotions were sincere

2. Hypocrisy and Insincerity

• Social norms have created pretenses and falsehoods in human interactions
• People smile but do not feel, speak but do not mean

3. Fear and Social Constraints

• Fear of judgment or social disapproval limits emotional expression
• Modern life breeds guarded, cautious behavior

4. Tradition vs Modernity

• The poet contrasts the authenticity of traditional African life with the artificiality of modern, Western-influenced society

5. Nostalgia

• The refrain “Once upon a time” creates a sense of longing for simpler, more genuine times

CHARACTERS (IMPLIED)

Although the poem is not a narrative with characters, the poet presents human archetypes:

• The child of the past – honest, open, emotionally free
• The adult of the present – socially constrained, cautious, insincere

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LITERARY DEVICES

1. Repetition

• “Once upon a time” emphasizes nostalgia and contrasts past and present

2. Irony

• The poem highlights the absurdity of modern social behavior compared to natural human emotion

3. Metaphor

• Social behaviors (smiles, greetings) symbolize emotional masks

4. Imagery

• Vivid descriptions of children’s laughter, adults’ formal behavior, and forced smiles make the contrast tangible

5. Contrast

• The central device: past truth and warmth vs present artifice and coldness

MORAL / MESSAGE

• Modern society is emotionally stifled
• People must reconnect with honesty, love, and natural human behavior
• Nostalgia serves as a reminder that cultural and emotional authenticity is valuable
• Emotional and social pretense alienates humans from themselves and others

RELEVANCE TO AFRICAN SOCIETY

• Highlights how Westernization and modernity can erode African cultural values of honesty, community warmth, and emotional sincerity
• Encourages reflection on social behaviors and human relationships in contemporary society
• Still resonates in societies where social media and urban life have reduced authentic human connection

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CONCLUSION

Once Upon a Time is a reflective, socially critical poem by Gabriel Okara. Using nostalgia, irony, and contrast, it highlights the loss of sincerity and emotional freedom in modern society, while urging a return to authentic human values.