11th Standard English - Once Upon a Time | Gabriel Okara| Poem| Narration in Tamil

Introduction

Once upon a time, Gabriel Okara wrote about the poignant transition from childhood to adulthood. In his poem, the transition symbolizes the loss of sincerity and warmth as one grows up. The poet recounts how people used to laugh with their hearts and love with their eyes. Now, they only laugh with their teeth while their eyes search behind cold masks.

Time has changed the way people interact; previously, handshakes were heartfelt, but now, hands reach out without any genuine connection, often searching empty pockets, symbolizing selfish motives. “Feel at home, come again,” they say. However, repeated visits reveal the insincere hospitality as doors are shut in one’s face.

In his narration, Okara describes how he has learned to adapt to societal norms by wearing different faces like dresses for different occasions - a home face, office face, street face, host face, and cocktail face. Each face comes with its own set of conformed smiles, fixed like a portrait.

The poet expresses his desire to unlearn these masking behaviors. He yearns to relearn how to laugh and smile genuinely, just as he did in his childhood. He even asks his son to show him how to reclaim that authenticity, reflecting a deep sense of loss and a longing to return to the innocence of the past.

Gabriel Okara, born in 1921, is a celebrated Nigerian poet whose work has been translated into many languages. He won several awards, including the Nigerian Festival of Arts for his poem "The Call of the River Nun." The transition from joyous, heartfelt connections to insincere interactions underpins much of Okara's poetry, such as "Once Upon a Time," making his work resonate deeply with readers.

Keywords

• Transition from childhood to adulthood
• Sincerity and warmth
• Genuine laughter and love
• Insincere interactions
• Facades and masks
• Reclaiming authenticity
• Gabriel Okara
• Nigerian poetry

FAQ

Q: Who wrote the poem "Once Upon a Time"? A: Gabriel Okara.

Q: What does the poem "Once Upon a Time" symbolize? A: It symbolizes the transition from childhood to adulthood and the consequent loss of sincerity and warmth.

Q: How did people laugh and love in the past according to the poem? A: They laughed with their hearts and loved with their eyes.

Q: What has changed about people's interactions in the present as per the poem? A: People now laugh with their teeth and their eyes conceal cold intentions while seeking personal gain.

Q: What does Gabriel Okara wish to relearn from his childhood? A: He wishes to relearn how to laugh and smile genuinely, reclaiming the authenticity he once had as a child.

Q: What is Gabriel Okara's background? A: Gabriel Okara was a Nigerian poet born in 1921, acclaimed for his works and awards, including the Nigerian Festival of Arts.

Q: What literary devices are prominent in "Once Upon a Time"? A: The poem uses metaphor, simile, and free verse to create its poignant imagery and message.