Once Upon Time is a short story by Nadine Gordimer. It tells the story of two people, Eva and Alex, who are in a relationship that is on the rocks. Eva is trying to figure out whether she should stay in the relationship or leave it, and Alex is trying to figure out how he can fix things. The story is full of symbolism and Gordimer’s trademark wit.
Although Once Upon Time is a short story, it is full of depth and meaning. Gordimer uses her characters to explore the human condition and ask questions about love and relationships. The story is a great example of her talent as a writer. If you are looking for a well-written, thought-provoking read, then Once Upon Time is definitely worth your time.
It tells the story of a woman named Sita who is in a loveless marriage with a man she does not love. Sita finds herself constantly dreaming of a life she could have, if only she were free to pursue it. She meets a man named Rama who seems to understand her and her dreams, and they begin to spend time together. However, Sita’s husband finds out about their relationship and threatens to kill Rama if he ever comes near her again. Sita is forced to choose between her husband and her dreams, and she eventually chooses her husband. Although she is not happy with her decision, she realizes that it is better than living a life of regret.
Sita’s story is one that many people can relate to. We all have dreams and aspirations, but often we are forced to compromise them in order to maintain our relationships or our jobs. Sita is a strong woman who is willing to stand up for what she believes in, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness. This is a lesson that we can all learn from her. We should never be afraid to follow our dreams, no matter what anyone else says. If we are true to ourselves, we will eventually find happiness.
Nadine Gordimer was born on November 20, 1923, in Springs, South Africa. She was the daughter of Jewish immigrants from Lithuania and Poland. Gordimer began writing short stories while she was still in high school, and her first story was published in a local magazine when she was only seventeen years old.
Gordimer studied at the University of Witwatersrand, where she met her future husband, Gerald Gordimer. The couple moved to Johannesburg in 1945, and they eventually had two children.
Gordimer began writing full-time in the 1950s, and her work soon gained critical acclaim. She won the Booker Prize for her novel The Conservationist (1974), and she also won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991 “for her novels and short stories expressing the essence of the South African experience.”
Many of Gordimer’s stories explore the social and political issues of apartheid South Africa. She was a strong opponent of the apartheid system, and her work often portrays the struggles of black South Africans against white supremacy.
Gordimer passed away on July 14, 2014, at the age of ninety. She was an important figure in South African literature, and her work continues to be read and studied all over the world.
The story starts off with a married couple, Peter and Frances, driving to their country cottage for the weekend. Once they arrive, they are bombarded with the news of a possible nuclear attack from the Soviet Union. As they try to figure out what to do, they are also informed that their children, who live in Johannesburg, have not been evacuated and may be in danger. This sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads to the death of both Peter and Frances. The story ends with their children finding them dead in the car with a note from their father that says “… there is no escape. ”
Although it is never explicitly stated, it can be inferred that Gordimer was using this story as a metaphor for the apartheid regime in South Africa. The idea of a nuclear attack being used as a scare tactic to get people to obey was not uncommon during that time period. Similarly, the idea of white people trying to flee to the countryside while leaving their non-white counterparts behind mirrored what was happening in South Africa at the time. Gordimer’s story is a powerful commentary on the events of her time period, and it still resonates with readers today.
Gordimer then cleverly changes the setting to a time where society is full of fear and insecurities. People are scared of being killed or persecuted because of their race, religion, or political beliefs. She also touches on the idea of persuasive fairy tales. Fairy tales have a way of convincing children that everything will turn out alright in the end, no matter what. Gordimer uses this to her advantage by having the story’s main character be a child.
This allows Gordimer to explore the idea of how a child’s view of the world can be changed by the events that happen in their life. In Gordimer’s story, the child’s view is changed when they are forced to flee their home and live in a society that is full of fear and insecurity. Gordimer shows how the child’s view of the world changes as they learn more about the events that are happening around them.
The child starts to see the world in a different light and begins to understand the importance of fighting for what is right. This change in perspective allows the child to become more accepting of others and helps them to see that there is still hope for the future. Gordimer’s story is a powerful reminder that even in times of fear and insecurity, we can find hope if we look for it. It is also a reminder that we should never take our freedom for granted.