1. Once Upon a Time
By Gabriel Okara

2. Objectives Literary Terms – figurative language
Introduction – Gabriel Okara
“Once Upon a Time” – summary
“Once Upon a Time” – themes
“Once Upon a Time” – analysis of writer’s craft: language
“Once Upon a Time” – analysis of writer’s craft: voice
“Once Upon a Time” – analysis of writer’s craft: structure
“Once Upon a Time” – analysis of writer’s craft: imagery
Conclusion – links to other poems

3. WRITE THIS INTO YOUR NOTEBOOK!
ONCE AGAIN…
Private, remember to follow the instructions in the yellow box on the top of the page. That’s an order!

4. Watch out for the following literary techniques as we read the poem.

5. Literary Terms – Figurative language
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Literary Terms – Figurative language
Simile – using like or as to compare two different things, e.g. “I have learned to wear faces like dresses’
Metaphor – comparing two different things without using like or as; usually saying something is something else, e.g. he is a rock
Personification – giving a non-human thing human attributes, e.g. the smiling moon

6. 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. .

7. 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.”
Taken from: .

8. Read the poem

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Summary
What is the poem about?
SUMMARIZE the poem in bullet points with your partner

10. Themes – what do we learn about them
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Themes – what do we learn about them
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.

11. Themes – what do we learn about them
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Themes – what do we learn about them
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.

12. Language Find examples of the following techniques and their effect
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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.

13. Language Find examples of the following techniques and their effect
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Language Find examples of the following techniques and their effect
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.

14. Language Possible examples
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Language Possible examples
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’

15. Voice WRITE THIS INTO YOUR NOTEBOOK!
What is the voice in “Once Upon a Time” and how is it established?
Let’s brainstorm our ideas.
Think about:
Speaker
Tone
Setting
Diction

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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.

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Structure
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.

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Imagery
Okara uses various types of imagery. Here are a few types seen in the poem. With your partner, write down an example and the effect of each.
ORGANIC
VISUAL
TACTILE

19. Conclusion Good secondary poems to link it to are: Digging
If (p. 108 in your textbook)
Read through these poems and discuss with your partner what poem you might use and why.
They are all available in your folder.
For more look at the following link:
YouTube lesson on "Once Upon a Time"

20. WRITE THIS INTO YOUR DIARY!
Homework
- Complete questions 1 to 4 on the bottom of page Pick the poem you will link to “Once Upon a Time”