Chapter Overview
‘Once Upon A Time’ by Nigerian poet Gabriel Okara is a reflective poem where a father addresses his son, lamenting the loss of sincerity and warmth in human relationships. The speaker reminisces about a time when people were genuine and emotions were real. Over time, he has learned to wear false smiles and speak with pretended kindness. Now, he yearns to unlearn this hypocrisy and rediscover the innocence of his youth through his son’s eyes. The poem uses powerful metaphors and contrasts to expose the social masks that adults often wear.Important Keywords
- Hypocrisy: Pretending to be what one is not, especially in behavior or emotions.
- Artificial Smile: A smile that lacks sincerity or is used to hide true feelings.
- Nostalgia: A sentimental longing for the past.
- Unlearn: The process of letting go of behaviors or ideas previously learned.
- Genuine Emotions: True feelings that are not masked or faked.
Detailed Notes
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