once upon a time by nadine gordimer summary

Malaps

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09-10-2024

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"Once Upon a Time" by Nadine Gordimer: A Chilling Tale of Security and Isolation

Nadine Gordimer's chilling short story "Once Upon a Time" masterfully exposes the insidious consequences of fear and paranoia in a society gripped by violence. Through a seemingly ordinary family's descent into self-imposed isolation, Gordimer reveals the fragility of community and the destructive potential of unchecked security measures.

The Story's Core: A Family's Fortress

The story begins with a seemingly idyllic family living in a "pleasant suburb" where the husband, a doctor, and his wife are raising their young son. However, this idyllic facade crumbles as violence escalates in the surrounding areas, prompting the family to take increasingly drastic measures to protect themselves.

As a reader, we are immediately confronted with the growing unease within the family: "There had been so many warnings." (Gordimer). Fear, initially manifested through anxieties about intruders, transforms into a relentless pursuit of security. The family erects a high wall, installs barbed wire, and hires a guard dog. These measures, intended to keep danger at bay, ironically become the very instruments that isolate them from their community and trap them in a prison of their own making.

Gordimer's Critique of Security and Isolation

Gordimer's writing is a powerful critique of the self-defeating nature of security measures. The narrator, with a subtle irony, reveals the family's distorted perception of safety: "It was safer to stay inside, but how much safer?" (Gordimer). This question underscores the paradoxical reality: the very measures intended to ensure their safety actually create a sense of vulnerability and isolation.

The Story's Chilling Climax

The story reaches its climax with the tragic death of the family's son. He, innocently playing in the garden, is mistaken for an intruder and shot by the guard dog. This horrifying incident starkly exposes the absurdity of the family's self-imposed security measures. The once-loving father, consumed by fear and paranoia, becomes responsible for the loss of his son.

A Warning for Our Time

"Once Upon a Time" serves as a chilling reminder of the destructive consequences of fear and paranoia. Gordimer's story is a powerful allegory for the dangers of unchecked security measures and the importance of maintaining empathy and understanding in a volatile world. The story resonates even more strongly today, as societal anxieties and fears are amplified by constant exposure to news of violence and unrest.

Further Exploration:

• How does the story's use of a fairy tale structure contribute to its impact? (Source: "[Gordimer's] short story 'Once Upon a Time' uses a familiar fairytale structure to explore the fears and anxieties of a society in the midst of violence." - Academia.edu, "A study of Nadine Gordimer's short story 'Once Upon a Time'")
• What is the significance of the story's setting in a suburb? (Source: "The story is set in a suburb, which is a space that is supposed to be safe and secure, but which has become a place of fear and anxiety." - Academia.edu, "A study of Nadine Gordimer's short story 'Once Upon a Time'")
• How does the story's ending serve as a warning to the reader? (Source: "The ending of the story is a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked security measures and the importance of empathy and understanding." - Academia.edu, "A study of Nadine Gordimer's short story 'Once Upon a Time'")

In Conclusion

"Once Upon a Time" is a powerful and thought-provoking story that transcends the boundaries of time and place. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of fear and the importance of resisting the temptation to isolate ourselves from others in the pursuit of security.