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Once Upon A Time by
Gabriel Okara
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Once Upon A Time by Gabriel Okara
Gabriel Okara is a Nigerian writer. He was born in Nigeria,
inApril 1921.
Okara may be described as highly original and uninfluenced
byother poets.
He has been extremely successful in capturing the moods,
sightsand sounds of Africa.
His poems show great sensitivity, perceptive judgements and
atremendous energy.
Okara also shows a concern regarding what happens when the
ancient culture of Africa is faced with modern western
culture,for example in his poem, 'Once Upon a Time'.
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Questions
Read through then try to answer these questions:
1. What is the theme of the poem?
2. Who is the poet talking to?
3. Why is the title/opening line effective?4. If this poem is
about growing old and the ways in
which we adapt to adulthood, which otherpoems in the anthology
might you compare it to?
Keywords: muting, conforming
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Themes
About how people change over the years and
become false and untrustworthy
About the influence of the white western
world on African nations how countries like
Nigeria were more honest before being
developed by the west.
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Mood & Tone
This is a sombre, emotional poem with a
strong moral message.
Does it end on a positive or depressing note?
Does it inspire you or does it leave you cold?
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Techniques
Repetitionthem/they who are these
people? What effect does this repetition have
on the reader?
Direct Speech underline examples of this.
Why is this an effective technique?
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Quotes
What do the following quotes mean to you?
but now they only laugh with their teeth
Now they shake hands without hearts
while their left hands searchmy empty pockets.
I find doors shut on me
I have learned to wear many faces
like dresses
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Quotes
What do the following quotes mean?
I have also learned to say, "Goodbye",
when I mean "Good-riddance
unlearn all these muting things
my laugh in the mirror
shows only my teeth like a snake's bare fangs!
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How does Gabriel Okara create a sense
of regret in the poem Once Upon A
Time?
Introduction
Who wrote poem
Basic info on what poem is about
Summarise what the essay is about
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How does Gabriel Okara create a sense
of regret in the poem Once Upon A
Time?
First Paragraph
Look at the content of the poem
Say what it is about and use quotes
Comment on the mood or tone of the poem,again, using quotes
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How does Gabriel Okara create a sense
of regret in the poem Once Upon A
Time?
Second paragraph
Basic info on what poem is about
Summarise what the essay is about
