Once Upon a Time: A Powerful Allegory by Nadine Gordimer
Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there lived a wealthy couple who had everything they could possibly desire — except the one thing they feared most: the safety of their child. This is the haunting opening of Nadine Gordimer's short story "Once Upon a Time," a profound allegory that explores themes of fear, prejudice, and the devastating consequences of building walls around ourselves. Published in 1987 during the height of apartheid in South Africa, this Nobel Prize-winning author's work serves as both a fairy tale and a stark warning about the dangers of creating a society based on exclusion and fear.
The Story's Framework and Narrative Voice
Gordimer employs a unique narrative technique in "Once Upon a Time" by using the traditional fairy tale structure to deliver a powerful social commentary. So the story begins with the familiar phrase "once upon a time," immediately establishing the fairy tale convention that readers recognize from childhood. Still, this familiarity quickly gives way to something far more sinister and thought-provoking Simple as that..
The narrator addresses the reader directly, creating an intimate relationship that makes the story's message more personal and impactful. Which means this conversational tone draws readers into the tale while simultaneously making them complicit in the unfolding tragedy. The narrator's voice shifts between the detached storyteller of traditional fairy tales and the concerned observer of contemporary social issues, reflecting Gordimer's skill in blending different narrative modes.
The Couple's Descent into Fear
At the heart of the story lies a middle-class white couple who possess great wealth and material comfort, yet remain consumed by fear for their only child's safety. Their initial concern seems reasonable — they worry about their son's well-being in a world filled with dangers. Even so, their response to this fear reveals the deep-seated prejudices and assumptions that underlie their privileged position in society Simple as that..
The couple's journey begins with small acts of protection: they move to a safer neighborhood, install security systems, and employ guards. But as their fears intensify, so too does their response become increasingly extreme. But they begin to see threats everywhere, particularly associating danger with people who are different from themselves. This progression mirrors the broader social dynamics of apartheid South Africa, where fear and prejudice were systematically used to justify increasingly restrictive policies.
The Escalation of Exclusion
As the story unfolds, the couple's protective measures evolve from reasonable precautions into a systematic program of exclusion and segregation. They begin to view their neighbors, their community, and eventually entire groups of people through the lens of suspicion and distrust. Each perceived threat leads to a new layer of separation, until they find themselves completely isolated from the world around them Not complicated — just consistent. No workaround needed..
Gordimer masterfully illustrates how fear can corrupt even the most well-intentioned individuals. The couple's love for their child becomes twisted into a force that ultimately destroys not only their family but also their connection to humanity itself. Their attempts to create a perfect, safe environment result in a sterile, lifeless existence devoid of the very things that make life meaningful — diversity, community, and genuine human connection.
The Physical and Metaphorical Walls
One of the most striking elements of "Once Upon a Time" is Gordimer's use of physical barriers as metaphors for psychological and social divisions. The couple builds walls around their home, their neighborhood, and eventually their entire way of life. These walls serve multiple purposes: they provide the illusion of security while simultaneously cutting off any possibility of growth, understanding, or genuine safety Easy to understand, harder to ignore. Worth knowing..
The walls become increasingly elaborate and impenetrable, reflecting the couple's growing paranoia and the society they help create. Yet despite these barriers, true security remains elusive. Gordimer suggests that the real danger doesn't come from external threats but from the internal destruction of empathy, compassion, and human connection that results from building walls of fear and exclusion.
The Tragic Conclusion and Its Implications
The story's ending is both shocking and inevitable, serving as a powerful indictment of the logic of exclusion. As the couple becomes more isolated and fearful, their final act represents the ultimate expression of their distorted worldview. The conclusion forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about how systems of oppression and fear ultimately consume those who create them.
Easier said than done, but still worth knowing.
Gordimer's choice to end the story with a note about the narrator's own fears adds another layer of complexity. It suggests that the story's message extends beyond the specific context of apartheid South Africa to address universal human tendencies toward fear and exclusion. The narrator's admission that they too are affected by these themes makes the story's warning more immediate and relevant to contemporary readers.
Themes That Transcend Time and Place
While "Once Upon a Time" emerged from the specific historical context of apartheid South Africa, its themes resonate powerfully right now. The story speaks to ongoing issues of immigration, racial tension, religious conflict, and the rise of nationalist movements that seek to build barriers between communities. Gordimer's exploration of how fear can be manipulated to justify exclusionary policies remains deeply relevant in an era where similar dynamics continue to play out across the globe.
The story also examines the tension between individual protection and collective responsibility. The couple's desire to protect their child reflects a universal parental instinct, but Gordimer challenges readers to consider what happens when individual fears are allowed to override broader ethical considerations and social responsibilities It's one of those things that adds up. Less friction, more output..
Gordimer's Literary Technique and Style
Throughout "Once Upon a Time," Gordimer demonstrates her remarkable ability to blend different literary forms and techniques. She combines the simplicity and directness of fairy tale narration with sophisticated social criticism, creating a work that is accessible to general readers while offering rich material for deeper analysis. Her prose is clear and engaging, yet packed with symbolic meaning and social commentary It's one of those things that adds up..
The author's use of irony is particularly effective in this story. The traditional fairy tale opening creates expectations that are deliberately subverted as the narrative progresses. What begins as a simple tale of parental concern transforms into a complex exploration of social pathology and moral failure Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
The Enduring Relevance of Gordimer's Message
"Once Upon a Time" stands as one of Nadine Gordimer's most powerful works precisely because it transcends its immediate historical context to address fundamental questions about human nature and social organization. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing fear to override reason and compassion, warning readers about the potential consequences of building walls — both literal and metaphorical — around ourselves and our communities.
The official docs gloss over this. That's a mistake.
In an age where division and exclusion continue to manifest in various forms around the world, Gordimer's masterful allegory remains as relevant and necessary as ever. The story challenges readers to examine their own fears and prejudices while considering the broader implications of the choices they make as individuals and as members of society. Through her deft combination of fairy tale structure and social realism, Gordimer creates a work that is both aesthetically pleasing and morally urgent, ensuring its place as a classic of modern literature that continues to educate and inspire readers across generations It's one of those things that adds up..
Easier said than done, but still worth knowing Not complicated — just consistent..
